Mumbai: The redevelopment of MIG Mhada Colony, Kandivli, will begin in April, said minister Shambhuraj Desai in the legislative council on Monday. BJP’s Shrikant Bharatiya said the project had been stalled for 11 years. BJP’s Pravin Darekar asked that self-redevelopment be allowed. Desai said 310 of 318 tenants had been paid rent till March. He said govt will review the progress every quarter. TNN
ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques reports the Miami Dolphins will release their longstanding quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, after the start of the new league year [March 11 at 4:00 PM ET]. The move will result in an NFL record $99M in dead money against the salary cap.According to Spotrac, the 28-year-old signal caller signed a four-year contract worth $212M with Miami in 2024, which included a $42M signing bonus and $167M in guaranteed money. For the 2026 season, the quarterback was projected to earn a base salary of $39M, a $15M signing bonus, and a $250,000 workout bonus, while carrying a cap hit of $56M and a dead cap value of $99M. As of this publication, his career earnings are $124M.This blockbuster move leaves Tagovailoa with three landing spots: the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Jets. For now, it’s the QB room with the expected official release of $100M backup Kirk Cousins.
A week before Tagovailoa’s blockbuster release announcement, ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted that it would happen. Miami tried to negotiate trade talks with other NFL teams, but Graziano was skeptical. He was expecting the Dolphins to release the QB by the third day of the league year [when $3M of his 2027 salary would be fully guaranteed]. He predicted Miami would designate him as a post-June 1 release to help defray $99.2M in dead money. They released him two days before the start of the league year. This move cost Miami an NFL-record $99.2M in dead money.The Dolphins told NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the signal-caller’s release would be designated post-June 1, giving the franchise the opportunity to split the dead money over two years: $67.4M dead hit in 2026 and $31.8M dead hit in 2027.Now that he’s been released two days prior. This gives the Atlanta Falcons a green signal in case they want to sign him as backup.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s notebook contains, “Something an NFL head coach said to me, unsolicited: Watch for Tua in Atlanta.” The Falcons are set to release Kirk Cousins on the first day of the new league year, GM Ian Cunningham confirmed in February at the NFL Combine. Cousins is now an unrestricted free agent. Anyhow, this leaves an empty space for a quarterback looking to revamp his image after a 15-interceptions season. Having played for the same team for six seasons, he carries extensive experience. If he brings his lessons to a team needing to revamp its 8-9 record, their shared goals could turn the 2026 season into a year of redemption.But what would be his role there?
Heavy Sports’ Shane Shoemaker reports Atlanta could be looking for a backup to Michael Penix Jr. or an eventual replacement, even if that comes on a short-term deal. Penix is currently rehabbing from ACL surgery.As per his recovery timeline, the 25-year-old Indiana alumnus is projected to return by Week 1 of the 2026 season. If he is not cleared, the Dolphins QB can serve as a bridge quarterback and play the first few games in place of Penix, then, when the 25 YO signal caller is cleared, he can step in and take over the starter QB’s role.CBS Sports’ John Breech reports that Penix is left-handed and so is Tagovailoa. So, bringing in another left-hander for a QB competition would be a plus for the Falcons. They would not have to make any major changes on the offensive side.
Atlanta’s President of Football, Matt Ryan, told CBS Sports that new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who coached the Cleveland Browns in 2025, would be choosing the starting quarterback for 2026. “Kevin’s responsibility is to be the head coach of the football team, and he’s going to let you know who our starters are and who our starters are not. It’s not my place to go in there,” Ryan said during Super Bowl week. So, if they sign Tagovailoa, Stefanski may have to decide between Penix and the Miami QB.The Alabama alumnus recorded 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in the 2025 season. He has one Pro Bowl selection [2023].What remains to be seen is whether the Falcons sign him…
Former Pakistan all-rounder and national selector Abdul Razzaq has revealed how, by a twist of fate, the 2010 spot-fixing conspiracy first came to the attention of the team management during Pakistan’s tour of England. Razzaq also recounted how then captain Shahid Afridi slapped fast bowler Mohammad Amir after the young pacer initially denied involvement in the scandal.Speaking on a Pakistani television show, Razzaq said the plot behind the fixing during the 2010 Lord’s Test spot-fixing scandal was uncovered by a friend of his in London who repaired mobile phones part-time.
“What happened was that Mazhar Majeed came to my friend and asked him to repair one of his phones. When my friend managed to get the phone working late at night, he found several messages between Mazhar and the three players detailing plans to spot-fix in the match,” Razzaq said.
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Majeed was later jailed for conspiring with Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Amir to spot-fix during the Test.According to Razzaq, his friend immediately showed him the messages, prompting him to inform Afridi, who was the senior-most player in the squad at the time.Afridi had stepped down as Test captain ahead of the series but remained the white-ball skipper.“Afridi called Amir, who was just 18 then, to his room and asked me to wait outside. I could hear Afridi getting angry and asking him to tell the truth. When he kept denying it, I heard a loud slap and rushed inside,” Razzaq recalled.“After that Amir broke down in tears and admitted to the conspiracy, and all hell broke loose,” he added.Razzaq said the scandal might not have spiralled if the Pakistan Cricket Board and team management had acted more swiftly.“Some senior players advised the team manager to fine the three players and send them home on disciplinary grounds before the ICC got involved,” he said.Eventually, Butt, Asif and Amir were banned by the International Cricket Council and later received jail sentences from a UK Crown Court.Butt and Asif never played for Pakistan again, although they were allowed to return to domestic cricket after completing their five-year bans.Amir, whose age and early confession were taken into account, returned to international cricket in 2016. He continued playing until the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, although he had earlier stepped away from international cricket due to a self-imposed retirement between 2020 and 2024.
The air in Ahmedabad was electric on Sunday night as the Narendra Modi Stadium played host to a final for the ages. Under a canopy of roaring fans, India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title in a high-octane showdown against New Zealand. While the cricket was world-class, the post-match celebrations captured a different kind of magic. Among the sea of blue jerseys and falling confetti, one figure stood out, India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya.
Pandya, instrumental in India’s clinical performance against the Kiwis, wasn’t just celebrating a professional milestone. As the final wicket fell and the fireworks illuminated the Gujarat sky, all eyes turned to the boundary ropes where Hardik was seen in a deeply emotional and ‘sizzling’ celebration with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma. The chemistry between the two has been the talk of the town throughout the tournament, but the scenes following the trophy presentation took social media by storm.
The celebration went viral almost instantly when clips surfaced of the couple sharing intimate moments on the turf. In a video that has since garnered millions of views, Hardik and Mahieka were seen radiating joy, dancing together to the beat of the stadium’s victory anthems. The sizzling chemistry was undeniable as the couple shared multiple kisses in the heat of the moment, completely caught up in the euphoria of India becoming world champions.
One particular snippet that delighted fans showed the couple interacting with a supporter. While posing for a selfie with a lucky fan, Mahieka was seen affectionately kissing Hardik, a gesture she repeated after the photo was taken, showcasing their uninhibited bond. Mahieka has been a constant fixture in the stands throughout this World Cup campaign, often seen cheering passionately during Hardik’s explosive spells. This victory celebration in Ahmedabad felt like the culmination of a long, supportive journey for the duo.
Hardik Pandya is Dancing with Maheika. Today Nobody can stop him😅
we should not forget Maheika’s contribution too she travelled everywhere to support him pic.twitter.com/7qf7QGGEcF— Gagan Choudhary (@choudhary_99415) March 9, 2026
What the hell is Hardik Pandya doing here? 😭
Looks like he was just left alone on the ground to get intimate with Mehieka last night 😂 pic.twitter.com/iNYPQEPlD8— Kusha Sharma (@Kushacritic) March 9, 2026
Look at the way Mahika Sharma asks Hardik Pandya to do his iconic pose.
A man with his favorite person after achieving everything in life. pic.twitter.com/BccaahWQKa
— N (@Preetygirlhun) March 8, 2026
Hardik Pandya celebrating the T20 World Cup victory with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma. pic.twitter.com/IhJGFFlvP6
— MuFFatLal Bohra (@arshdeep3444) March 8, 2026
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 Awards: Full list of winners – From Jasprit Bumrah to Sanju Samson
While the visuals spoke a thousand words, Hardik’s post-match comments added a layer of depth to their relationship. During a candid conversation on the field, with the winner’s medal still gleaming around his neck, Pandya was asked about his mindset leading up to the final. His response was a heartfelt tribute to Mahieka’s influence on his life and career.
“I had been saying the same thing from the beginning, that we are going to win. I even told Mahieka the same thing, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve got this.’ I want to play for the team for another ten years and win ten more titles,” Hardik remarked with his trademark confidence.
The most touching moment came when Hardik directly addressed the positive shift in his life since they began their journey together. He credited her presence as his lucky charm, stating, “Ever since Mahieka came into my life, everything has been going right. There has been win after win.”
India will not participate in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) proposal to release strategic petroleum reserves to stabilise global oil markets, government sources said on Monday, even as crude prices surge amid the escalating Middle East conflict, reported PTI.The decision comes as G7 nations consider coordinated releases of emergency oil reserves to calm markets after crude prices climbed close to $120 per barrel, the highest level in about four years.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, currently holds about 5.33 million tonnes of underground strategic petroleum reserves, though the storage is around 80% filled, according to officials.“The crisis (that led to a rise in prices) is not our creation. Those responsible have to deal with it and create situations to ease (prices),” a government source said, ruling out releasing Indian reserves.Officials said the reserves maintained by India are intended to be used only during actual disruptions in supply rather than to influence global market prices.“Ours is a India first policy,” the source said, PTI quoted.India is not a full member of the IEA and therefore does not have a binding obligation to follow the organisation’s calls for coordinated oil stock releases. The country currently participates as an associate member.Meanwhile, IEA executive director Fatih Birol is expected to discuss the issue with Indian authorities.India has previously taken part in coordinated releases of emergency oil reserves. In 2021, New Delhi joined a US-led initiative and released about 5 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs) to help stabilise global energy markets.Government sources also said India does not plan to curb exports of refined fuels, noting that the country currently has “reasonably” comfortable stocks of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
As the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran enters its second week, Iran’s leadership is showing visible signs of internal strain, even as officials continue to publicly reject calls from Washington for an “unconditional surrender” and vow to continue fighting.The divisions have come into sharper focus after the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, an event that triggered a leadership transition and competing responses within Tehran’s political and security establishment.
Three developments in the days since, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s apology to neighbouring countries, the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader, and the growing influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have highlighted the emerging fault lines between moderates, clerics and hardline security factions.
Following Khamenei’s assassination, Iran formed a three-member interim leadership council under constitutional provisions to exercise supreme authority until a successor was selected. The council included Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and senior cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, according to AP. The leadership initially promised swift retaliation and launched missile and drone attacks on Israeli and American targets, as well as infrastructure such as airports, oil refineries and hotels in Gulf countries including Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Divisions surfaced publicly on March 7 when Pezeshkian issued a pre-recorded state television address apologising for strikes that hit neighbouring states.“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran. Our commanders, leaders and loved ones lost their lives due to the brutal aggression that took place,” he said. “We didn’t intend to violate neighbouring countries. As I have said many times, they are our brothers,” according to Reuters.The remarks prompted immediate criticism from hardliners and security officials.Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that “as long as the presence of US bases in the region continues, the countries will not enjoy peace.” Lawmaker Hamid Rasaei called Pezeshkian’s stance “unprofessional, weak and unacceptable,” arguing that countries hosting US bases should apologise instead.Mohseni-Ejei also contradicted the president, stating that regional states had allowed their territory to be used for attacks on Iran and declaring that “heavy strikes on those targets will continue.”The Revolutionary Guards issued their own warning that if “hostile actions continue, all military bases and interests” of the US and Israel across the region would be Iran’s “primary targets,” according to the Financial Times.Facing the backlash, Pezeshkian quickly revised his position. Later on March 7 he wrote on X that Iran “had not attacked our friendly and neighbouring countries; rather, we have targeted US military bases, facilities, and installations in the region.”In another state television appearance on March 8, he said his earlier remarks had been “misinterpreted by the enemy that seeks to sow division with neighbours.”
A day later, Iran’s leadership transition took another contentious turn with the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader.According to The Economist, the move was strongly backed by hardline clerics and the IRGC but faced resistance from reformist and moderate figures who argued that the younger Khamenei lacked the senior clerical standing and political experience usually expected of the position.Critics also warned that elevating the son of the former leader contradicted the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the hereditary Pahlavi monarchy and rejected dynastic rule.Some figures within Tehran’s establishment had argued against quickly appointing a successor at all. Mohsen Sazegara, a founding member of the IRGC who later went into exile, told Bloomberg that a faction led by security council chief Ali Larijani preferred extending the interim council’s authority rather than rushing the succession process.
Despite the objections, Mojtaba Khamenei’s longstanding ties with the Revolutionary Guards proved decisive. Bloomberg reported that he had built deep influence within IRGC command networks, including involvement in shaping senior appointments and security decisions.The war has also strengthened the Guards’ position within the political system. The Economist reported that the organisation is operating with unprecedented autonomy, in some cases overshadowing the traditional clerical leadership in directing military strategy.Reuters reported that senior ayatollahs urged the 88-member Assembly of Experts to accelerate its decision-making after Khamenei’s death, while Iran International said IRGC pressure on members intensified during emergency meetings.The outcome, analysts say, underscores where real authority lies during the conflict. “Wartime tends to clarify power structures, and in this case the decisive voice is not that of the civilian leadership but of the IRGC,” Middle East Institute fellow Alex Vatanka told Reuters.
Even as Iran’s leadership remains united in rejecting US and Israeli demands, the debates over regional attacks, the leadership succession and the expanding role of the Revolutionary Guards suggest growing differences over how the war should be fought.With Iran continuing to face sustained military pressure from the US and Israel, Mojtaba Khamenei’s immediate challenge will be consolidating authority while navigating a conflict that has already exposed deep divisions within Tehran’s leadership structure.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Nepal’s newly elected leader Balendra Shah, who is set to become the Himalayan nation’s youngest Prime Minister.“Had warm telephone conversations with Mr. Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Mr. Balendra Shah, Senior Leader of the RSP,” wrote PM Modi on X.PM Modi said he convyed India’s “commitment to work with them for mutual prosperity, progress and well-being of our two countries”. “Congratulated both leaders on their electoral victories and RSP’s resounding success in the Nepal elections. Conveyed my best wishes for their forthcoming new Government and India’s commitment to work with them for mutual prosperity, progress and well-being of our two countries. I am confident that with our joint endeavours, India and Nepal relations will scale new heights in the years ahead,” PM Modi further wrote.
Nepal’s political landscape witnessed a dramatic transformation, as newly elected youth leader Balendra “Balen” Shah unseated veteran politician and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from his parliamentary stronghold. A structural engineer by profession who first rose to prominence as the mayor of Kathmandu, Shah has now made history four years later by becoming the youngest person ever to claim Nepal’s Prime Ministership.Contesting from Jhapa-5, the former rapper and capital city mayor defeated his long-time rival Oli by a resounding margin, the Election Commission of Nepal announced.Shah, a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), secured 68,348 votes, nearly four times more than the 18,734 votes garnered by the 74-year-old Marxist leader.
NEW DELHI: The Congress party has nominated the present Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and former MLA Vem Narender Reddy as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Telangana, ahead of polling scheduled later this month.The nominations were announced as part of the biennial elections to the Council of States, with voting set to take place on 16 March and counting scheduled for 5 pm the same day, according to the Election Commission.The two seats from Telangana will fall vacant on 9 April, when the terms of Congress Rajya Sabha member Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MP K R Suresh Reddy come to an end.Singhvi is widely expected to retain his seat, given the Congress party’s numerical strength in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, which determines the outcome of Rajya Sabha elections through proportional representation.The Congress has also fielded Vem Narender Reddy, a former MLA and adviser to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who is considered a close associate of the chief minister.Reacting to his nomination, Narender Reddy expressed gratitude to the party leadership. In a post on X, he thanked Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, MP Priyanka Gandhi, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Telangana PCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, along with the party’s high command.The Telangana seats are part of 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states that are set to fall vacant in April as the terms of sitting members conclude. These seats belong to Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.According to the Election Commission’s schedule, the notification for the elections was issued on 26 February, initiating the nomination process. The last date for filing nominations is 5 March, with scrutiny scheduled for 6 March and candidates permitted to withdraw their nominations until 9 March.
South cinema saw several headline-making developments today, ranging from film controversies and production updates to celebrity reactions. From legal relief for a filmmaker to delays in a major film’s censor review, the industry had plenty of talking points. Rumours about big projects and fresh shooting updates also kept fans engaged online. Here’s a quick look at the top five South cinema stories of the day.
A sessions court in Ernakulam granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram S. Poduval in a sexual harassment case registered by the Ernakulam Town South Police. The case was filed under IPC Sections 354, 354A(1)(i), and 509. The court’s order protects the director from arrest while the investigation continues. According to a report by India Today, a young woman filed the complaint alleging that the director sexually harassed her at his residence in 2022. In his bail plea, Chidambaram denied the allegations and questioned the delay in filing the complaint, after which the court granted him anticipatory bail.
The censor review of Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay, was delayed after its scheduled screening before the CBFC Revising Committee on March 9 was cancelled. According to India Today, the review was reportedly called off at the last minute after a committee member fell ill. The postponement means the film’s certification process remains pending, with no new screening date announced yet. Directed by H. Vinoth, the film had already faced censor objections, which earlier led to its review being moved to the Revising Committee.
Rumours recently suggested that Vaadivaasal, the long-delayed film of Suriya and Vetrimaaran, was set to restart soon. Reports claimed the actor had agreed to allocate monthly call sheets for the project. However, sources close to Vetrimaaran clarified that there have been no recent discussions about reviving the film, calling the claims rumours. The director is currently focused on his ongoing project Arasan, starring Silambarasan.
Mahesh Babu has completed the Georgia shooting schedule of his upcoming film Varanasi, directed by S. S. Rajamouli. The actor was recently spotted returning to Hyderabad after wrapping up the schedule. Reports suggest he will stay in the city briefly before flying to Antarctica for the film’s next schedule. The globe-trotting adventure film also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in key roles.
R. Parthiban expressed regret after his comment about Trisha Krishnan at an award event sparked controversy. The filmmaker issued an apology on social media, saying the situation had “gone wrong” and that there was no option but to regret it. The row began after a remark he made on stage about Trisha went viral online. Earlier, Trisha had shared a strong message stating that a microphone only makes a comment louder, not more intelligent.
US stock markets tumbled on Monday as a sharp spike in oil prices following the Middle East conflict rattled investors and raised fears about the resilience of the global economy.The S&P 500 fell 1.3%, coming off its worst week since October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 721 points, or 1.5%, to 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 1.2%, according to market data reported by AP .The decline followed even steeper losses across Europe and Asia as investors tracked the surge in crude oil prices after the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified.Early Monday, the price of Brent crude — the international benchmark — briefly touched $119.50 per barrel, its highest level since the summer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Prices later eased, with Brent crude trading at $101.76 per barrel, still 9.8% higher than Friday.Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude jumped 9.6% to $99.59, after briefly surging to $119.48 per barrel.The sharp rise in oil prices has renewed fears of stagflation, a situation where economic growth stagnates while inflation remains high. Higher fuel costs could strain household budgets already under pressure from inflation and increase operational costs for companies.Markets partly stabilised after reports that major economies may coordinate a response to rising oil prices.Historically, the US stock market has rebounded relatively quickly from geopolitical conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, provided oil prices do not remain elevated for an extended period. Despite recent volatility, the S&P 500 remains within 5% of the record level reached in January.Some investors believe the current decline could offer buying opportunities if energy markets stabilise.“We continue to believe that the current acute shortage of oil will be reversed in the coming months as new supply comes online and oil should drop significantly,” said Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.However, much will depend on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route off Iran’s coast through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil typically passes. Tanker traffic has slowed sharply due to fears of possible Iranian attacks.Oil strategists at Macquarie Research warned that if the disruption persists, prices could climb significantly.“Although we are not attempting to predict how long Hormuz transit will be substantially or completely curtailed, we are growing more confident that without an agreement and a fast cessation of all kinetic activity, the crude market will begin to break in days, and not in weeks or months,” strategists led by Vikas Dwivedi said in a report.Rising fuel costs have hit sectors with heavy energy consumption the hardest. Carnival fell 7.3%, while United Airlines dropped 6.9% and Old Dominion Freight declined 3.8%.Retailers also faced pressure, with Best Buy falling 4.4% and Williams-Sonoma dropping 4%, as higher fuel prices threaten consumer spending and increase shipping costs.Stock markets abroad also posted sharp losses. South Korea’s Kospi sank 6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 5.2%, and France’s CAC 40 dropped 1.7%.Geopolitical tensions continued to escalate, with both sides targeting new locations over the weekend. Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant vital for drinking water supplies, while Israel struck oil depots in Tehran, sending up thick smoke and triggering environmental alerts.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the current rise in oil prices is acceptable in the short term.“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” he said on his social media platform.In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury remained at 4.15%, unchanged from late Friday. Yields are being pulled higher by inflation concerns linked to rising oil prices but are also facing downward pressure from worries about slowing economic growth.Concerns about the economy intensified after a weak US jobs report released Friday showed employers cut more jobs than they added last month, raising fresh doubts about the strength of the labour market.
