Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has quietly begun dismantling the power structure he built around Alexandr Wang, his $14 billion bet to lead the company’s AI push—evidence that the billionaire entrepreneur is losing faith in the 28-year-old data labeling entrepreneur he once courted with homemade soup deliveries and hundreds-of-millions-dollar compensation packages. Nine months after Wang arrived to oversee Meta Superintelligence Labs with absolute control over the company’s frontier AI models, Zuckerberg is now routing engineering talent, data pipelines, and model evaluations around him entirely. The Avocado and Mango models Wang promised will be built on infrastructure he doesn’t control. The researchers he hired report to other executives. And the guy who held a $29 billion stake in Wang’s Scale AI startup is quietly building what amounts to a backup plan—one that suggests the entire experiment has already failed.The shift crystallized Tuesday when Meta announced a new applied AI engineering organization led by Maher Saba, a long-time Reality Labs executive now reporting directly to Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth. The structure itself tells the story: Zuckerberg is bypassing Wang’s Superintelligence Labs to build a parallel engineering powerhouse designed to feed his core AI models data, tooling, and evaluations faster than Wang’s team can consume them. It’s organizational restructuring as a soft firing—Wang keeps his title and access while losing every lever that actually matters.

The parallel org charts reveal the real power play

When Zuckerberg hired Wang in June to oversee Meta Superintelligence Labs, the structure looked clean: Wang would own the entire AI research and development stack. Today, that model is fragmenting. Saba’s new team will have a deliberately flat structure—up to 50 individual contributors for every manager—designed to move faster than traditional bureaucracy allows. It’s the opposite of the centralized, ego-driven approach Wang brought to the table.The Wall Street Journal reported the internal memo outlining Saba’s mandate: build “the data engine that helps our models get better, faster.” That language matters. Zuckerberg isn’t just creating another team. He’s creating an engine designed to make Wang’s job harder if he doesn’t perform, and easier to replace him if he does.This comes nine months after Zuckerberg began questioning whether hiring Wang was a mistake. According to reporting from the Financial Times and New York Times, Wang quickly clashed with longtime Meta lieutenants Chris Cox and Andrew Bosworth. Wang wanted to focus purely on catching up to OpenAI and Google’s models. Cox and Bosworth wanted to use Instagram and Facebook data to build products people would actually use. Wang complained to associates that Zuckerberg’s oversight felt suffocating. Meanwhile, Yann LeCun—Meta’s chief AI scientist and Wang’s theoretical superior—walked out in November rather than report to him.

The highest-paid executive now has isolation instead of influence

When Zuckerberg first tapped Wang, he reportedly offered compensation packages worth hundreds of millions to top researchers. Wang was positioned as untouchable—the genius billionaire who would crack superintelligence. Instead, he’s become isolated. The TBD Lab sits in a glass box next to Zuckerberg’s office. Only two of roughly 100 researchers left when their equity vested in November. The turnover numbers sound good on paper. They’re not. It’s what you’d expect from a team nobody can leave.Now, with Saba’s new organization reporting to Bosworth instead of Wang, the engineering talent will flow around Wang instead of through him. The Avocado and Mango models Wang was promised will be trained on data pipes Saba controls. The tooling researchers use will come from Saba’s team. The feedback loops that actually turn capable models into leading ones will be managed one level below Wang’s authority.Zuckerberg has always favored control over decentralization. When his bets don’t work—the metaverse, early Llama iterations—he reorganizes to take power back. With Wang, he’s doing the same thing, just quietly enough that the young entrepreneur might not notice until he tries to move.The reorganization proves it: Zuckerberg is already planning for a Meta AI future that doesn’t depend on the man he paid more to hire than most companies are worth.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram reflected on his side’s heavy defeat to New Zealand in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026. Despite entering the knockout clash as one of the tournament favourites, the Proteas were comprehensively beaten by nine wickets at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, bringing their impressive campaign to a sudden halt.

Aiden Markram explains reasons of defeat against Black Caps

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, South Africa never truly found their rhythm. The Kiwi bowlers applied early pressure with disciplined lengths and clever variations, restricting the Proteas’ scoring rate during the crucial powerplay phase.

Markram and his teammates attempted to accelerate in the middle overs, but the surface behaved inconsistently, making timing difficult. Some deliveries came nicely onto the bat while others held up slightly, forcing batters into mistimed shots.

As a result, South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 169/8 in their 20 overs, a total that appeared competitive but ultimately proved far from enough on a batting-friendly surface. Speaking after the match, Markram acknowledged that his side misread the conditions and failed to adjust their approach with the bat.

“I think it comes down to the conditions. They bowled really well up front, quite full. Some balls came on nicely, while others held up a bit in the surface and hit low on the bat, which made scoring difficult. That built pressure, and we ended up losing wickets,” Markram said in the post-match presentation.

The South African skipper also suggested that his team could have taken a more measured approach earlier in the innings instead of forcing the pace. According to him, a slightly higher total could have put New Zealand under pressure in the chase.

“The pitch looked pretty good, so maybe we could have adapted quicker with the bat. Perhaps we should have taken a more traditional approach — building the innings and grinding our way to around 180–190, which might have kept us in the game,” he added.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – India vs England 2nd Semi-Final Ticket Prices and Sitting Details

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert dismantle South Africa

If South Africa struggled with the bat, New Zealand’s top order made the chase look remarkably easy. Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert launched a brutal assault on the Proteas’ bowling attack from the very first over.

The duo stitched together a sensational 117-run partnership in just 55 balls, effectively putting the contest beyond South Africa’s reach during the powerplay itself.

Seifert played the perfect supporting role with a rapid 58 off 33 balls, but it was Allen who produced a truly historic knock. The explosive opener smashed an unbeaten 100 off just 33 deliveries, registering the fastest century in T20 World Cup history. His innings was packed with boundaries and towering sixes, leaving the South African bowlers with no answers.

New Zealand eventually chased down the target comfortably in just 12.5 overs, sealing a dominant nine-wicket victory and securing their place in the final. They will now face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England, with the summit clash scheduled to be played on March 8 in Ahmedabad.

Also READ: Netizens go wild as Finn Allen smashes a record-breaking century to power New Zealand into the T20 World Cup 2026 final with a win over South Africa

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US department of justice on Wednesday charged a Pakistani national – with alleged ties to Iran – for plotting to kill key US politicians including President Donald Trump and Joe Biden.According to authorities, the accused, Asif Merchant, planned the killings in 2024 and attempted to hire two hitmen for $5,000. However, the men he hired, turned out to be undercover FBI agents posing as assassins.Merchant told investigators that an Iranian handler had instructed him in April 2024 to travel to the United States and “maybe have somebody murdered.”“He did not tell me exactly who it is, but he named three people to me: Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Nikki Haley,” Merchant said.Merchant was indicted in July 2024 after he was secretly recorded outlining a plan on a napkin to kill an unnamed politician while speaking to a person who turned out to be an informant. He also attempted to recruit two hitmen and offered them $5,000, though both were undercover agents.Calling the case a serious national security threat, then-FBI Director Christopher Wray said the alleged murder-for-hire plot followed tactics commonly associated with the Iranian regime.While the indictment did not explicitly name Trump, a law-enforcement source confirmed that Donald Trump had been discussed as a potential target, and defence lawyers also referenced him in court documents.During court proceedings, Merchant claimed he acted out of fear for relatives living in Iran and believed he would be arrested before any attack could occur.“My family was under threat, and I had to do this,” Merchant testified through an Urdu interpreter. “I was not wanting to do this so willingly.”He told the court that the handler initially asked him to find US residents willing to work for Iran. Later, the assignment expanded to recruiting a criminal who could organise protests, steal items, carry out money laundering and “maybe have somebody murdered.”Merchant said he felt he had no choice but to comply after the handler indicated he knew the identities and locations of Merchant’s relatives in Iran.The 47-year-old had previously spent nearly two decades working in banking in Pakistan before moving into several businesses, including clothing, car sales, banana exports and insulation imports. He also said he maintained two families—one in Pakistan and another in Iran—where he claimed he was introduced to an intelligence operative linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in late 2022.Despite suspecting he was under surveillance after US immigration agents questioned him at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in April 2024, Merchant continued researching Trump rally locations. He allegedly sketched a plan for a shooting at a political rally, arranged meetings with the supposed hitmen and gathered $5,000 from a cousin to pay them as a “token of appreciation.”The trial is unfolding amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, following Donald Trump launching a joint military campaign with Israel against Iran under Operation Epic Fury. The offensive, carried out without congressional authorisation, has drawn criticism from several Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans who argue the president initiated an “illegal” war.

Pakistan Cricket Team (AP Photo)

After a dismal T20 World Cup campaign, Pakistan cricket has been hit by a fresh controversy after an unnamed squad member was reportedly fined for allegedly misbehaving with a female hotel staff member during the team’s stay in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The incident is believed to have occurred shortly before Pakistan’s final Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka and has since been quietly discussed within Pakistan cricket circles.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, the episode unfolded at the Golden Crown Hotel, where Pakistan’s squad was staying during the tournament. “Before Pakistan’s last Super Eight match against Sri Lanka, a Pakistan World Cup squad player misbehaved with a female housekeeping staff,” sources told Telecom Asia Sport. The report added that the staff member “shouted and called for help, after which hotel staff came for her rescue and reported the matter to Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema.”

Senior officials at the Golden Crown Hotel reportedly wanted strong action taken against the player. However, Cheema apologised to the hotel management on behalf of the cricketer and imposed a fine for the misconduct, effectively settling the issue internally at the time. While the player’s identity has not been revealed, the matter is far from closed, with the individual expected to face further scrutiny once back home.The report suggests the player could be summoned before the disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board, which may decide on additional punishment. The controversy surfaced soon after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign, where the side failed to reach the semifinals after missing out on net run-rate despite defeating Sri Lanka by five runs in their final Super Eight match.The incident has also revived discussion around past controversies involving Pakistan touring squads. The report noted that batter Haider Ali was arrested by Manchester Police last year during a Pakistan Shaheens tour of England over rape allegations before being released due to insufficient evidence. In another earlier episode, team masseur Malang Ali was reportedly fined for misconduct with a female staff member during a tour of Malaysia.

The ministry of external affairs has refuted reports which claimed that US is using India’s ports to strike Iran amid the ongoing escalation in Middle East.This comes after former US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor during an interview with a US-based channel claimed that US was using Indian naval bases in its war against Iran.

“All of our bases have been destroyed. Our harbour installations are destroyed. We are actually having to fall back on India and Indian ports, which is less than ideal; that is what the navy says,” Macgregor has said.MEA fact-check account on X rejected the claims, calling them “fake and false.”“Claims being made on OAN, a US based channel, that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false. We caution you against such baseless and fabricated comments,” MEA said.India voiced “deep concern” over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, calling on all parties involved to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation and ensure the safety of civilians.Chaos erupted in the Middle East after the joint forces of US and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes on Iran, killing the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Israel and targeting American military bases located across Gulf countries.Earlier on Wednesday, a torpedo fired from a US submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, killing 87 personnel. The vessel had recently been on a friendly visit to India. The strike marked the first instance since World War II in which an American submarine attacked a surface warship.The war entered its sixth day on Thursday with no indication of de-escalation.Reports indicate that the conflict has already claimed more than 1,000 lives in Iran, while about a dozen people have been killed in Israel. At least six US troops have also died in the fighting.US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have defended the offensive, arguing that Iran posed an imminent threat.“If we didn’t do it first, they would have done it to Israel and give us a shot, if that was possible,” Trump said.

Varun Chakaravarthy (Getty Images)

MUMBAI: Wednesday’s nets session was an optional one, but Varun Chakravarthy was out there, alongside bowling coach Morne Morkel, slogging it out in searing heat.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The focus throughout the session, and during the mammoth one that India put in on Tuesday evening, was on the length he needs to hit against England in the semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Varun started the T20 World Cup campaign with a bang, ending the four-match group stage with nine wickets at a strike rate of 8. But in the Super Eights, while bowling against stronger opponents, he was found somewhat wanting. In the three games, he took just two wickets at a strike-rate of 24 and conceded 10.16 runs per over, which is much higher than his career economy rate of 7.23. He finished with figures of 1/47 against South Africa, 1/35 against Zimbabwe and 1/40 against West Indies.Against South Africa, David Miller, Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs showed the courage to take on the mystery spinner. As a result, he erred in his line and length—bowling a bit short or fuller when put under pressure—which brought him into the batters’ arc to hit him down the ground or either side of the wicket. The story repeated against the West Indies in the last match at the Eden Gardens, with Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder going after the Kolkata Knight Riders’ spinner. When the batters took him on, they curtailed his ability to apply the squeeze in the middle overs and take wickets to keep the opponents on the mat.

Varun is still among the top-five wicket-takers in this edition with 12 scalps, but teams seem to have dissected his variations, especially the googly, which has been his go-to delivery to take wickets. Almost 75% of his wickets in T20Is have come with the googly. When he has bowled the googly at pace, rival batters have played him as an incoming bowler and tried to hit him straighter. When he has got one to turn away, batters have backed themselves and adjusted.With the likes of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks in their ranks, England will take a cue from Varun’s outings against South Africa and West Indies, make use of the shorter boundaries and put the 34-year-old under pressure.During the media interaction, Morkel revealed that discussions with Varun centred around getting “clarity” of his plans a day ahead of the match and “allowing him to walk away feeling good about his body”.“With the variations that Varun’s got, he’s got the ability to take a wicket with almost every ball. So, the discussion was that if he goes for a boundary, the aim is to move on to the next one and make sure he commits to that next ball. He’s hard to pick once you walk into the crease. So, for him it’s just about getting that confidence into the ball, getting his speed, his length and control right,” said Morkel.