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Mumbai: The BMC’s standing committee on Friday reviewed a slew of infrastructure proposals — from the delayed Sion east–west railway overbridge to a key flyover linking Eastern Express Highway with Airoli, which is a part of Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project — and stalled a proposal to construct a town hall-cum-gymkhana in Fort amid concerns over planning priorities in south Mumbai.During the meeting, around 59 proposals were tabled before the committee.Civic authorities informed the committee that the Sion railway overbridge (ROB) will be completed and opened for traffic by August 15. The century-old bridge located outside Sion station has remained closed since August 2024, affecting connectivity between south Mumbai and the eastern suburbs. The cost of constructing the bridge has increased from Rs 42.8 crore to nearly Rs 50 crore due to the addition of steel girders and the development of approach roads. The proposal seeking approval for this cost escalation was placed before the standing committee.Members raised concerns over delays in the project and the inconvenience caused to citizens. Rajshree Shirwadkar, chairperson of the education committee and a member of the standing committee, said hawkers have occupied the area around the construction site, making it difficult for pedestrians — especially schoolchildren — to navigate the narrow lanes. Congress corporator Ajanta Yadav pointed out that the area houses several schools and hospitals. “The delay in completing the bridge has worsened traffic and caused inconvenience to pedestrians. When will the bridge be completed to provide relief to citizens?” she asked.Responding to the concerns, additional municipal commissioner Vipin Sharma said the bridge would be opened for traffic by August 15.The committee stalled BMC’s proposal to construct a town hall-cum-gymkhana in Fort, citing planning concerns. Members across party lines said that instead of developing a recreational facility that may cater only to a limited section of citizens, the BMC should utilise the space to strengthen parking infrastructure in south Mumbai.Among the 59 proposals tabled before the committee was a plan to construct a 1.3-km flyover connecting Eastern Express Highway with Airoli as part of the GMLR project. The contract for this flyover has been awarded at Rs 1,389 crore, which is 6.8% higher than the estimated cost. According to BMC records, the overall project cost has risen to Rs 2,495 crore. The civic body has stated in its tender document that the bridge is expected to be completed within 36 months, excluding the monsoon period.
Panaji: The trust deficit between India’s top-tier football clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is wider than ever before, after the governing body unilaterally invited bids for commercial rights of its properties, including the Indian Super League, where clubs fund 60% of the costs.For the first time, AIFF has not publicly provided details about the Request For Quotation (RFQ) that was floated on March 2. However, deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan is on record that the crucial tender is for “15+5 years” without any base price. Interested parties can get the document for Rs 2.5 lakh and then bid for 30% commercial rights.The clubs, who are now majority partners in organising the top tier league, said they were in the dark about the 44-page tender document, with none of them informed in advance about its publication or a draft circulated for review.“To proceed with such a foundational document without even circulating it to clubs, who are funding 60% of the league’s costs, demonstrates a complete disconnect between financial contribution and decision-making authority,” 12 of the 14 ISL clubs wrote to AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan on Friday. “It is untenable for AIFF to assume that clubs will continue to bear 60% of operational costs while having no visibility or say in the league’s long-term commercial and governance future.”The clubs said the long-term future of the ISL cannot be determined without the clubs being taken into confidence.“If AIFF views the ISL as a purely AIFF league, then AIFF must bear the corresponding financial burden. If AIFF views it as a partnership, then partnership must exist in both economics and decision-making. The present posture satisfies neither standard.“If clubs are bearing 100% of operational exposure and 60% of economic risk, then governance cannot remain 100% unilateral. The financial contribution was accepted as a burden-sharing mechanism for the survival of the league, not as a surrender of governance rights,” said the clubs.According to sources, NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC did not sign the letter.The clubs are also understood to have had a meeting with senior AIFF officials later in the day but were told that the RFQ document will not be shared with them for fear of getting leaked. Instead, there were suggestions that the clubs can together pool the money and pick up the document.Meanwhile, the clubs have also raised concerns over the financial model and wondered how the federation earns a surplus of Rs 3.4 crore, even after publicly stating before the sports minister that it would not “make a rupee” out of the ISL this year.“It is unacceptable that, in a force majeure–like interim season not attributable to any fault of the clubs, the federation extracts profit while clubs absorb unprecedented financial strain,” said the clubs.
Iran has delayed the naming of a successor to its slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, out of security concerns following American and Israeli comments that the new leader could also be targeted, according to two Iranian officials.Ayatollah Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has emerged as a top contender for the post, but concerns over his security mounted following reports in the media that he may be the new face of Iran, said the two officials, who asked not to be named to discuss sensitive issues. Once Khamenei’s name began to circulate as the favoured candidate to succeed his father, the US said he would not be acceptable and could be eliminated. “They are wasting their time,” President Trump told Axios on Thursday, adding that the former supreme leader’s son is “a lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said in a social media post on Wednesday that any leader appointed by Iran to succeed Khamenei would be “an unequivocal target for elimination.” American and Israeli strikes have so far killed Ayatollah Khamenei, and top military commanders and figures involved in defence – but not clerics. The leaders of Iran’s three branches of govt – the presidency, judiciary and parliament – are alive.If Khamenei is appointed as the top religious, political and military figure in Iran, it signals the continuity of hard-line conservative rule. Khamenei, a mysterious but influential figure who has operated in the shadows of power, has close ties to the powerful IRGC.
Ajinkya Rahane picks his player of the tournament: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is at the business end. The tournament has been an exciting one from the very first match of the competition. After 20 teams competing against each other, it has come down to the final showpiece, where India takes on New Zealand in the final of the tournament, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, March 8.
Over the past month, there have been some exciting games and some upsets as well. Some players surprised everyone with their exceptional performances in the tournament, from the USA’s Shadley van Schalkwyk to Blessing Muzarabani. These cricketers have etched their names in the tournament with their brilliant performances.
Ahead of the final, former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has dropped his prediction for the Player of the Tournament. Rahane on a video uploaded on X (formerly Twitter), picked his top three players for the best player for the tournament. There has been a surprising pick in the video he uploaded.
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Ajinkya Rahane said, “Hey everyone, I’m going to pick my top three contenders for the Aramco Player of the Tournament. The first one for me is Varun Chakravarthy. How well he’s bowling. The contribution with the ball from Varun has been amazing. He’s been so good for the Indian team.”
Ajinkya Rahane further added, “Second one, Lungi Ngidi, again a bowler who’s been doing really well for South Africa. And Aiden Markram, contribution with the bat. He’s been amazing for them. Let me know what’s yours and go and vote for your Aramco Player of the Tournament.”
Here’s the video
Who will be your @aramco Player of the Tournament?#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jCIgvwioR6
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) March 6, 2026
Varun Chakravarthy has been the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 13 wickets. For a few matches, he has been off-form and has conceded lots of runs. However, everyone is well aware of the threat Varun Chakravarthy poses on his day. Varun Charavarthy is just a wicket away from becoming the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Varun Chakravarthy would need to be at his best at the final.
Lungi Ngidi has been knocked out of the tournament, as South Africa lost to New Zealand in the semi-final. However, the pacer had a brilliant T20 World Cup as he picked 12 wickets in 7 matches, and was the leading wicket-taker for the side. His pace-off deliveries were lethal in the whole tournament.
Aiden Markram, on the other hand, led his side from the front. Scoring 268 runs in seven matches with a strike rate of over 170. Markram’s captaincy was also brilliant throughout the tournament. He had a heartbreak in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Except for these three, there are other players, like Will Jacks, who have won four player of the match awards. He almost single-handedly won games for England and helped them qualify for the semi-final of the tournament.
Sahibzada Farhan is also in the contention list with 383 runs, and scoring nearly 40% of the team’s runs. It will be an interesting contest as we come to the business end of the tournament.
Also Read: NOT Virat Kohli! Ex-Australia captain picks this India player as ‘GOAT’
In a move aimed at easing financial access during a turbulent period in the Gulf, Emirates NBD has announced that it will temporarily waive ATM withdrawal fees at other banks’ machines across the UAE and the wider GCC. The decision comes as regional tensions and travel disruptions leave many residents and travellers scrambling for cash and banking services.The relief measure, announced by the Dubai-based lender, removes charges typically applied when customers withdraw money from ATMs outside the bank’s own network. The waiver will remain in effect until March 31, 2026, allowing customers to access their funds more easily during a period marked by uncertainty across the Middle East.
Under the temporary policy, Emirates NBD customers will benefit from several key fee exemptions designed to simplify everyday banking.
The bank communicated the update to customers via email, explaining that the move aims to give people greater flexibility in accessing funds and managing daily transactions during ongoing regional disruptions.
The banking relief initiative comes at a time when the Middle East is experiencing significant geopolitical tensions and aviation disruptions, affecting travel and mobility across the Gulf. Airspace closures and flight cancellations have left many travellers stranded across multiple countries, prompting governments and companies to roll out support measures.
Emirates NBD’s Fee Waiver: A Banking Relief Amid Iran And US-Israel War?
Banking services, especially easy access to cash through ATMs, have become particularly important for residents and tourists navigating unexpected travel changes. Financial institutions often introduce temporary fee waivers during crises to ensure that customers retain uninterrupted access to essential financial services, especially when normal travel and banking routines are disrupted.The decision is expected to provide immediate relief to several groups:
In many cases, ATM withdrawals from other banks typically carry additional charges, sometimes ranging from Dh2 to Dh25 per transaction, depending on the ATM network and banking package. By removing these fees, the bank is allowing customers to withdraw money from the most convenient machine without worrying about extra costs.
Emirates NBD Waiving ATM Fees: What Does It Mean for Your Money in the GCC?
For travellers who may have lost cards or need replacements abroad, the free card replacement and international delivery option also ensures continued access to funds while away from home. The Emirates NBD initiative is part of a broader response from Gulf institutions attempting to cushion the impact of regional instability.Across the region, airlines have launched emergency flights, governments have issued travel advisories, and several authorities have introduced temporary measures to support residents affected by flight cancellations and mobility restrictions. Banks, in particular, play a crucial role in such situations because cash access and payment continuity are essential for travellers dealing with unexpected delays or relocations.
While the fee waiver offers significant convenience, it is temporary. Customers should note the following key details:
As geopolitical tensions continue to affect travel and economic activity in the Gulf, institutions are increasingly stepping in with support measures to help residents navigate disruptions. For now, Emirates NBD’s decision ensures that customers, from stranded travellers to everyday residents, can access their money more easily, without worrying about extra ATM fees during an already challenging time.
MUMBAI: The rupee closed at 91.75 against the dollar on Friday, down 15 paise from the previous close of 91.6, after a largely range-bound session marked by pressure from higher crude oil prices and foreign fund outflows.Suspected intervention by the central bank too influenced market movements. Heavy selling in domestic equities and withdrawals by foreign investors weighed on the currency. However, losses were limited after the US administration allowed refiners to continue purchasing Russian oil for 30 days, easing concerns over global energy supply disruptions linked to the conflict in West Asia.“With crude remaining firm, the rupee could continue to face downside pressure in the near term. The expected trading range for the currency is 91.25-92.50, with commodity prices and dollar index movement remaining the key drivers.” Said Jateen Trivedi, an analyst with LKP Securities.
Mumbai: Powai police have arrested a Bihar-based real estate agent in connection with recovery of five live bullets from a BTech student’s bag in his IIT-Bombay hostel room last month.The accused, Prashant Raj (24), was apprehended from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on Feb 26, based on information provided by Sarvottam Chaudhary (23), a college dropout from Bihar who was arrested on February 19 for allegedly keeping the live ammunition in his friend’s bag during his visit as a guest on the Powai campus on February 12. Chaudhary had allegedly confessed to purchasing the bullets for Rs 3,500 from Yadav, and said that he had failed to strike a deal to buy a gun.The bullets were found in the BTech student’s bag on February 19, when IIT-B security personnel searched rooms in hostel number 1 for alcohol bottles after a fight broke out between two students, who were allegedly drunk. Chaudhary was nabbed when he again visited the campus on February 19.
NEW DELHI: Government will use “every policy tool and the export promotion mission” to support exporters in the ongoing crisis in West Asia, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. “We are in complete engagement with exporters. Every day, the inter-ministerial group talks to exporters and takes feedback. We will not be found wanting in supporting our exporters in any way,” Goyal said.Goyal told reporters on the sidelines of an event by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) that govt set up a help desk and an inter-ministerial group that engages with exporters daily to review the situation and gather feedback.Exporters faced disruptions such as higher freight rates, demurrage charges, longer shipping routes and shortages of containers following the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, and sought govt support to deal with rising logistics costs.Goyal said the commerce ministry is in dialogue with the ministry of shipping and shipping companies to address concerns about cargo ships stuck in the Persian Gulf. “We are in dialogue with the ministry of shipping and with shipping companies. I hope we will find a resolution to this issue,” he said. The minister also said India will continue to meet its commitments to international buyers despite the disruptions. “We will continue to ensure that all our international commitments are met. Even during the Covid pandemic, India met all its international commitments, which earned us the acronym of a trusted partner, and we will continue to be the trusted partner of the world,” he said.In 2025, India imported goods worth about $157 billion from the region while exports to West Asian economies stood at around $67 billion.
NEW DELHI: India has sufficient foreign exchange reserves, low current account deficit and inflation rates, which collectively allow it to effectively mitigate the impacts of rising global crude oil prices and ensure domestic energy security despite the country’s high dependency on imported crude oil, a finance ministry report said on Friday.But it cautioned that if the crisis in West Asia persists, it could have “material implications” for the exchange rate and the current account deficit and could stoke inflationary pressures.“Subdued capital flows, accentuated by a flight to safety, could put pressure on the currency. Some sectors dependent on LNG and crude, like fertilisers and petrochemicals, could be affected if the crisis is prolonged,” said the finance ministry’s monthly economic report for Feb.It said strong macroeconomic fundamentals and continued reform momentum position the economy well for expansion. “In view of positive developments, including recent successful trade deals and consecutive strong growth of 7%+ over the previous three years, real GDP growth has been upgraded to 7.0-7.4% for FY27,” said the report. The report also cautioned that the levels of volatility in macroeconomic outcomes and financial markets, and the world’s uncertainty, have risen due to the conflict in West Asia and are likely to remain elevated for some time. “Regardless of the immediate ‘end game’ for this conflict, it may have made the long-term ‘end game’ for lasting peace in the Gulf and beyond less clear,” said the report. It said that the implications of this conflict for India are significant and may be longer-lasting in ways that are not immediately understood.“Even if only latent for now, the risks to India’s balance of payments may have become elevated due to this conflict. Stress-testing balance-of-payments under various scenarios has to be undertaken periodically,” said the report.It added that India enters the next financial year with a solid macroeconomic backdrop, unlike during the previous turbulent episodes in the Gulf region. “Growth is solid, inflation is moderate, credit growth is healthy, the fiscal deficit is under control, and external stability is intact,” said the report.
