KOLKATA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee dug out Sunday an undated picture of PM Modi seated and President Droupadi Murmu standing at an event, flagging it as “proof of who actually shows respect” while contesting his charge that TMC govt had “gravely insulted” the presidential chair with a protocol breach at Siliguri.“Why were you sitting when she was standing?” Mamata said from her SIR protest dais. “We honour every person holding constitutional posts.”

Bengal being singled out ahead of polls: Didi

The PM attacks and disrespects Bengal before every election,” said the CM. Mamata alleged that Bengal was being singled out ahead of the assembly polls.She insisted the state had written to the organisers of the International Santal Conference on March 4, citing its inability to be part of the event due to various reasons. “But the Centre ignored it. If anything went wrong at the event, the Centre should be held responsible. Don’t blame us,” she said.The Siliguri conference, the CM insisted, was a private programme the state govt had never been asked to support. On allegations about inadequate toilets and other facilities, she said the venue was under the Airport Authority of India’s jurisdiction. “The green room, too, had been set up by the organisers in AAI territory. If anything went wrong there, it is their failure.”On the PM invoking International Women’s Day while criticising how Bengal treated a woman President, Mamata said, “We will celebrate Women’s Day a thousand times. We have been celebrating it since our childhood. You do not have the right to criticise us.”Chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty, who received a communication from Union home secretary Govind Mohan seeking an explanation for the “protocol breach”, formally responded in the evening, sources said.The controversy appeared to unite the opposition behind TMC. Congress’s Supriya Shrinate said the President’s office must not be used to “advance BJP’s political agenda”.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal govt over alleged “mismanagement” of an event attended by President Droupadi Murmu, accusing TMC of insulting the head of state and warning that the party’s “arrogance of power will soon be shattered”.The MHA sought a report from Bengal govt on suspected violations of security and protocol norms during the President’s visit. In a letter to chief secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Union home secretary Govind Mohan asked the state to submit a detailed explanation by 5pm on Sunday regarding alleged breaches of the ‘Blue Book’ guidelines governing venue, security and route arrangements.The controversy has intensified political confrontation between BJP and TMC ahead of assembly elections in Bengal, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the President’s visit and the tribal community event.Addressing a gathering in Delhi’s Burari, where he inaugurated development projects worth about 33,500 crore, Modi said the developments surrounding the President’s visit had “deeply hurt” him.Insult not only to President but also to Constitution: PM ModiToday, when the country is celebrating the achievements of its mothers, sisters and daughters on International Women’s Day, yesterday (Saturday) in West Bengal the TMC govt gravely insulted the President,” Modi said.Referring to the 9th International Santhali Conclave held in Siliguri on Saturday, Modi alleged that the state govt failed to organise the event properly and that TMC boycotted the programme. “President Droupadi Murmu herself comes from the tribal community. Instead of honouring her and celebrating this important tribal event, TMC govt left the programme in a state of mismanagement,” he said.“This is not only an insult to the President, but also an insult to the Constitution, the spirit of the Constitution and the great traditions of our democracy,” Modi said.Warning TMC, the prime minister said, “The dirty politics and arrogance of power shown by TMC in insulting a tribal President will soon be shattered.”The controversy began after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over the arrangements during her visit to attend the conclave, stating that the venue had been changed to a location that made it difficult for members of the tribal community to attend and noting the absence of the CM or any state minister to receive her.

Sanju Samson has emerged as one of India’s biggest heroes in the T20 World Cup 2026 after producing two match-winning performances at crucial moments. The wicketkeeper-batter first delivered in the must-win Super 8 clash against the West Indies cricket team, smashing an unbeaten 97 to guide India home. He then followed it up with another vital contribution in the semi-final against England cricket team, scoring a composed 89 to help India seal a place in the final.After Samson’s brilliant knock against the West Indies, the International Cricket Council shared a touching moment on social media featuring Rohit Sharma encouraging the Kerala batter earlier in the tournament. The clip showed Rohit offering reassurance before India’s opening match against the United States national cricket team, a game in which Samson was not included in the playing XI.Also See: IND vs NZ T20 World Cup Final Live Score

“Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai. (“Don’t be disheartened. It is a long tournament. You’ll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime),” Rohit had told Samson while hugging him.

Samson did not start the tournament in India’s playing XI after struggling during the five-match T20I series against the New Zealand national cricket team before the World Cup. However, the 31-year-old eventually got his opportunity during the group-stage clash against the Namibia national cricket team when Abhishek Sharma was ruled out due to a stomach infection. Once Abhishek recovered, Samson again found himself out of the side.His return came at the start of the Super 8 stage when the team management decided to tweak the opening combination after off-spinners repeatedly troubled Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Since reclaiming his place, Samson has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and is now among the leading contenders for the Player of the Tournament award.Ahead of the final against the New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rohit, who is serving as the tournament’s brand ambassador, explained why he felt compelled to speak to Samson before the campaign began. Drawing from his own experiences of missing out on the 2011 World Cup squad, Rohit said he understood the emotional challenge of waiting on the sidelines.“I can sometimes feel the pulse of the player. I have been myself in that place where, you know, when I’ve been in a tournament like this, and my chances haven’t come, it’s important to stay focused and try and do the right things and not get frustrated with you not getting the opportunity, and that’s what I felt with him,” said Rohit in a video shared on Instagram by the ICC.Interestingly, Samson had also been part of India’s triumphant squad in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 but did not get a single game during that campaign. This time, however, he has made a significant impact and currently sits as India’s third-highest run-scorer in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, behind Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav.Rohit admitted he could relate to Samson’s disappointment at the start of the tournament and wanted to ensure the batter stayed mentally ready for when the opportunity eventually arrived.“Because he was consistently playing for India and then was dropped just before the World Cup started, you know, I just wanted to tell him that it’s a long tournament and funny things have happened in the past, so I just wanted to reassure him that your chance would come. So it happened in the game where it was a crucial game for India, and he played a blinder,” said Rohit.So far in the tournament, Samson has been in outstanding form. He is averaging 77.33 with an explosive strike rate of 201.73. The wicketkeeper-batter has already collected two Player of the Match awards and has been shortlisted among the nominees for the Player of the Tournament honour.

The Narendra Modi Stadium turned into a sea of blue as India and New Zealand squared off in the high-stakes Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. After a dominant batting performance led by Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, the stage was set for the Indian bowlers to defend a mammoth total of 255. However, the defining moment of the evening wasn’t just a delivery or a boundary, but a piece of pure athletic magic from Ishan Kishan that has effectively broken the back of the Kiwi chase.

Rachin Ravindra departs after Ishan Kishan’s spectacular catch in T20 World Cup 2026 Final

Chasing a daunting target of 256, New Zealand needed a steady start, but Jasprit Bumrah had other plans. In the 3.1 over mark, with the Kiwis already reeling from the loss of Finn Allen, Bumrah was introduced into the attack. On his very first delivery, the Boom Boom effect took hold.

Bumrah delivered a trademark offcutter on a length around the leg stump. Rachin Ravindra, looking to navigate the early pressure, attempted to work the ball toward the leg side but was completely deceived by the lack of pace. Leading the edge, the ball spiralled high into the night sky toward deep square leg.

What followed was a moment of pure adrenaline. Kishan, sprinting at full tilt, tracked the ball’s trajectory with laser focus. Diving forward in full flow, Kishan snatched the ball inches from the turf. The ball momentarily bobbled in his grasp, threatening to spill, but the keeper-batter showed incredible reflexes to juggle and eventually secure the catch. The stadium erupted as Kishan jumped into a pumped-up Bumrah’s arms. Ravindra departed for just 1 run off 2 balls, leaving the scoreboard reading a dismal 32/2.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant grab sends Suryakumar Yadav back for a duck in T20 World Cup 2026 final

New Zealand crumbles under pressure as India eyes a title defence

The dismissal of Ravindra triggered a catastrophic collapse for the Black Caps. Despite a valiant, quick-fire half-century from Tim Seifert (52 off 26 balls), the relentless Indian bowling attack, backed by clinical fielding, ensured the Kiwis remained strangled.

The Indian innings had previously set the tone for this dominance. Sanju Samson played the innings of his life, smashing 89 off 46 balls, while Abhishek provided a lightning start with a 21-ball 52. Late cameos from Kishan (54) and Shivam Dube (26*) propelled India to a record-breaking 255/5.

In response, New Zealand’s middle order fell like a house of cards. Axar Patel was surgical, removing both Allen and the dangerous Glenn Phillips (5) in quick succession. Hardik Pandya joined the party by cleaning up Mark Chapman for 3, and Varun Chakravarthy ended Seifert’s resistance in the 9th over. By the 11th over, New Zealand sat at 103/5, needing an impossible 153 runs from just 54 balls—a required run rate of 17.00. Barring a miracle of biblical proportions, Suryakumar Yadav is set to become the captain who brings the T20 World Cup trophy back to India on home soil.

Also WATCH: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma walk out with T20 World Cup trophy at Narendra Modi Stadium during IND vs NZ Final

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader comes at a moment of extraordinary upheaval for the Islamic Republic. The announcement was made shortly after midnight Monday by Iran’s powerful assembly of experts, the clerical body responsible for choosing the country’s top leader, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli airstrikes earlier this month. The leadership change unfolds amid an intensifying regional war that erupted after the strikes that killed the elder Khamenei.

With Iran under heavy military pressure and facing mounting internal uncertainty, the assembly’s decision signals an attempt to ensure continuity at the top of the political and religious hierarchy.

A quiet figure long seen as a power broker

Mojtaba Khamenei, long seen as a potential successor despite holding no formal government office, emerged as the chosen candidate over other contenders including cleric Alireza Arafi, hardliner Mohsen Araki and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Iran’s revolutionary founder.Mojtaba Khamenei was born on September 8, 1969, in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, a major religious center. He is one of six children of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s supreme leader for more than three decades. Although he rarely appeared prominently in public life, Mojtaba gradually built influence within the political and clerical establishment. His discreet presence at official events and limited media exposure fueled speculation for years about the extent of his authority behind the scenes. At 56, he now becomes the second supreme leader chosen by the Assembly of Experts since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Religious training and rise within Iran’s clerical circles

Mojtaba Khamenei studied Islamic theology in the holy city of Qom, Iran’s most important center of Shiite religious scholarship. He later taught religious studies there and attained the clerical rank of Hujjat al-Islam, a mid-level title below the rank of ayatollah held by his father. His clerical status, along with his family lineage as a seyyed—a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed—has played a role in reinforcing his religious credentials within Iran’s clerical establishment.

Ties to the Revolutionary Guards and conservative establishment

Mojtaba Khamenei has long been viewed as closely connected to Iran’s powerful security apparatus, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His relationship with the force reportedly dates back to the later years of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, when he served in a combat unit. Over time, analysts and diplomats have suggested that he built strong ties with conservative factions and the security establishment, giving him influence inside the country’s political power structure even without holding a formal office.

When US sanctioned Mojtaba

The United States sanctioned Mojtaba Khamenei in 2019, accusing him of representing his father in political matters and working with Iranian security forces to advance the government’s regional and domestic policies. Opponents within Iran have also accused him of playing a role in the crackdown on protests that erupted after the disputed 2009 re-election of hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, though such allegations have never been officially confirmed. Investigations by international media outlets have also alleged that Mojtaba Khamenei accumulated significant wealth through complex financial networks tied to oil revenues and overseas investments.The selection of Mojtaba Khamenei marks a rare hereditary transition at the top of Iran’s political system. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 had overthrown the monarchy and ended centuries of dynastic rule under the shah. Despite that history, the Assembly of Experts ultimately chose the son of the late supreme leader, prioritizing continuity during a time of war and political uncertainty. Israel has already issued warnings to Iran’s new leadership, signaling that the regional conflict is far from over as Mojtaba Khamenei assumes the country’s most powerful position.

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Abu Dhabi on high alert: UAE Air Defenses Intercept Aerial Threats Amid Iran vs US-Israel War

Residents in Abu Dhabi were placed on high alert after authorities issued an emergency warning while the country’s defence forces responded to incoming aerial threats. The alert came amid escalating regional tensions linked to the widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which has begun to affect several Gulf states.The UAE’s Ministry of Interior sent emergency notifications urging residents to seek immediate shelter, stay indoors and avoid windows or open areas as air defence systems engaged potential missile and drone threats in the skies. Authorities also warned people not to film or approach incident sites to ensure public safety and allow emergency responders to operate effectively.

Air defences activated over Abu Dhabi amid Iran vs US-Israel war escalation

According to officials, the UAE activated its advanced air defence systems to intercept incoming projectiles during the operation. Loud explosions were reported in parts of the capital as interceptors neutralised aerial threats before they could reach critical targets. Despite the tense moments, authorities reassured the public that the situation was under control and the defence systems were functioning effectively.The alert forms part of a broader regional security situation. Since late February 2026, the UAE has faced a series of missile and drone launches connected to the ongoing confrontation between Iran and its adversaries. Defence officials say hundreds of drones and missiles have been detected, with most successfully intercepted before impact.

Iran vs US-Israel war spills into the Gulf

The current tensions stem from a rapidly escalating conflict across the Middle East. Military exchanges between Iran and US-Israeli forces have led to missile barrages across the Gulf region, forcing several countries, including the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, to activate air defence systems and issue public safety warnings.While the UAE has not been directly involved in the fighting, its strategic location and presence of international military facilities make it vulnerable to spillover threats. Officials say the country remains in a state of defence readiness as security agencies monitor the situation and coordinate with regional allies.

Missile debris risks and civilian safety concerns in the UAE amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Even when interceptions are successful, authorities warn that falling debris from destroyed missiles or drones can still pose dangers on the ground. In recent incidents across the UAE, debris from intercepted projectiles has damaged buildings and vehicles, highlighting the risks posed by the wider conflict.Emergency services and civil defence teams remain on standby across the country and residents have been urged to follow official instructions and rely only on verified information sources during security alerts. After defence operations concluded, authorities later announced that the immediate threat had passed and that residents could resume normal activities while continuing to remain vigilant. Officials emphasised that the UAE’s security and defence forces remain fully prepared to respond to any further threats as the regional situation evolves.