Zimbabwe cricket team (Photo/Agencies)

MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has moved to coordinate the safe return of the West Indies and Zimbabwe teams after their departures from India were delayed following their exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. International flight disruptions triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have forced changes to travel schedules, affecting both squads. “The ICC is helping West Indies and Zimbabwe with their travel plans back home. No team is stranded. The team management of both the sides are in touch with the ICC teams. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta is in regular and close contact with the senior management at Cricket West Indies and Zimbabwe Cricket,” a source tracking the developments closely told TOI on Tuesday.

The West Indies team has been stuck in Kolkata after losing their Super Eights clash against India on Sunday, March 1. CWI stated on Monday, “Cricket West Indies (CWI) wishes to advise that the departure of the West Indies Senior Men’s Team from India, following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has been delayed due to international airspace restrictions. These restrictions are a direct result of the security threats posed by military action in the Gulf Region, which has impacted several international flight routes and required airlines to adjust scheduled services for safety reasons.”“CWI is working closely with the ICC, relevant governmental authorities and airline partners to secure the earliest possible safe travel arrangements for the squad and support staff. The safety and well-being of our players, coaches, and officials remain our highest priority. The team is currently accommodated in India and remains safe and well. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as confirmed travel arrangements are finalised.”The travel chaos stems from the USA and Israel’s strike on Iran, which sparked retaliatory actions and led to widespread airspace closures across Middle East. The Dubai Airport, a critical hub for international travel, had suspended operations entirely as the conflict escalated, before resuming limited flights.

NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Tuesday “strongly and unequivocally condemned” the open aggression by US-Israel against Iran. The board urged the UN and the international community to take immediate, effective, and concrete steps to ensure a ceasefire and prevent the region from descending into a devastating war.In a press statement, the board’s spokesperson, SQR Ilyas, said significant progress had been made in negotiations between Iran and the US regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

He also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. He said targeting the central leadership of a sovereign country during wartime and openly speaking of regime change constitutes a blatant violation of international law. AIMPLB urged the Indian govt, UN and international community to take immediate measures to stop the war. “Otherwise, this fire will not remain confined to one region.”

After tying the knot last month, Rashmika Mandanna was seen showing off her mangalsutra (thali) and sindoor as she walked hand in hand with her husband, Vijay Deverakonda. The couple had just returned from a visit to Vijay’s native village in Telangana.Ever since their wedding on February 26 in Udaipur, the newlyweds have been stealing the spotlight with their loved-up appearances and PDA filled outings.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Devarakonda’s style

The actress kept up with bridal colours, donning a beige printed saree with a striking red border. She styled it by wearing her hair in long, soft curls and a set of gold chains layered along with her mangalsutra. Vijay, on the other hand, coordinated his look by opting for a white floral print kurta paired with white pyjama.

Post-wedding rituals

Soon after getting married in Udaipur, Rashmika and Vijay performed a Satyanarayana Swamy Vratham and held a gruhapravesam (housewarming ceremony) at their newly built home in Thummanpet. The couple who wed in a traditional nuptial, stuck to tradition and customs as they began their married life.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams temple

Up until their wedding, the couple and co-stars kept their public spottings to the minimum. However, since tying the knot, the two have been inseparable, while also enjoying marital bliss. After returning from Udaipur, they also visited the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams temple in Hyderabad, where they distributed sweets and shared their happiness with other devotees, the media and their fans.

Wedding reception

The wedding celebrations are set to continue with a grand reception in Hyderabad on March 4. However, the couple has decided to keep the event strictly invitation-only due to security reasons..

Under pressure, Karnataka to revise internal quota of SC communities

BENGALURU: Under pressure from Left sect Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and two of its own ministers, Karanataka’s Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt has decided to revisit an earlier decision to fill 56,432 govt posts without internal reservation. The cabinet is expected to deliberate on introducing pro rata internal reservation within the existing 15% SC quota at a meeting Thursday.The move comes days after governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot granted assent to the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Classification Bill 2025, which provides for internal quotas among SC communities. The bill, passed in Dec last year, proposes to enhance overall reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and divide it among 101 SC communities. Gehlot’s assent came after protests in Dharwad by job aspirants who demanded the govt fill nearly 2.5 lakh vacancies across departments. Recruitment has largely been frozen since Oct 2024 to facilitate implementation of the internal quota system. Under the 17% structure in the bill signed by Gehlot, the Left sect (16 communities) would get 6% under Category A, the Right sect (19 communities) 6% under Category B, and 63 communities 5% under Category C. Those under Adi Andhra, Adi Dravida and Adi Karnataka groups can opt for reservation under Category A or B.But this matrix breaches the overall 50% ceiling on total reservation decreed by the Supreme Court, and a case disputing it is pending in court. The govt, therefore, issued a notification to fill 56,432 posts under the existing 15% SC quota , clarifying that the enhanced 17% quota would be implemented in recruitments only after a decision by the court. This triggered sharp reactions from stakeholders.

Nitish’s son Nishant set for political launch ahead of Rajya Sabha election

NEW DELHI: Nishant Kumar, the son of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, is set to enter politics, a development which marks a reversal of his father’s abiding aversion to dynastic politics but owes as much to growing clamour within JDU as the party sees in him a legatee who can help it link with its core supporters in case of leadership transitition.Multiple party functionaries said Nitish, who recently turned 75 and finds his health under scrutiny, has given his nod to his son joining politics. Though the speculation about him getting one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that JDU is set to get is just that, speculation, indications suggest that the party leadership may have overcome the hestitancy which saw it defy the clamour from ranks for letting Nitish’s son in the arena.Nishant Kumar’s late turn to politics, at 50 years of age, is a growing acknowledgement among key JDU functionaries that he can help the party navigate the competitive and unpredictable terrain it faces in the crowded political scene in Bihar as an important face with whom its traditional voters – Kurmis and sections of backwards and Dalits – can connect due to their bond with his father.Bihar minister Shrawon Kumar, who is from JDU, said Nishant is set to enter politics and whether he will go to Rajya Sabha or not will be clear in a day or two. A senior JDU functionary emphasised Nitish’s staunch opposition to dynastic politics but noted the uncertain future that several regional parties face where there is no clear line of succession. On the other hand, he added, RJD has retained its base despite repeated poll drubbings as its traditional voters have accepted Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Yadav as his political heir.While the future path for Nishant is far from predictable, his presence will help galvanise JDU’s base, which is in confusion over its future beyond Nitish.

Gold slumped more than 5%, ending a four-day rally on Tuesday. The metal was weighed down by a stronger dollar and fading prospects of an interest rate cut as inflation concerns intensified against the backdrop of a potentially prolonged conflict in West Asia. Spot gold was down 5.6% at $5,029.59 an ounce whereas prices had hit an over four-week high in the previous session. US gold futures lost 5.1% to $5,041.50.The US dollar, a competing safe-haven asset, rose to an over one-month peak, making dollar-priced bullion less affordable for holders of other currencies. US Treasury yields rose for a second consecutive session.Indian bullion traders and associations are speculating that gold could attain Rs 2 lakh per 10 gm and silver may well scale Rs 3.5 lakh per kg if the conflict does not abate swiftly.Spot silver fell 11.2% to $79.42 an ounce after climbing to a more than four-week high on Monday. As the Iran conflict entered its fourth day, crude oil benchmarks jumped over 8% in response.