Sunidhi Chauhan has been holding concerts in different cities across the country. Recently, at her Lucknow concert, she turned emotional in front of the audience. Videos of the singer circulating online show her apologizing to the audience because her voice was not at its best. She expressed gratitude to the fans attending the event for their support.

Sunidhi Chauhan apologizes to the audience at the Lucknow concert

In several clips circulated online, Sunidhi Chauhan can be seen breaking down while speaking to the audience from the stage. The videos show her saying, “I have a terrible throat; aaj mera aavaj bohot zyada kharab hai (Today my voice is very bad). But I know you are with me, and I want to still do this. Oh my God, this has never happened with me ever, and it’s embarrassing. I am so sorry. It’s just that, mujhe thoda… I always want to give 100%.“

The singer further added, “But unfortunately, I am trying, and maybe it won’t be that, so please already forgive me. I am just going to move on. Thank you so much for your love.” Sunidhi continued the concert even though she was not feeling well.

More about Sunidhi Chauhan’s ‘I Am Home’ tour

Sunidhi Chauhan is currently on her India tour, which kicked off in Mumbai on December 24, 2025. Next, she is set to host the concert in Kolkata on March 14 at the Aquatic Ground in West Bengal’s capital city. With that, she will conclude her ‘I Am Home’ tour.Her Delhi concert also featured a performance by actress Sanya Malhotra. Sunidhi and the actress grooved to their hit song ‘Aankh’, which was released online last year.Meanwhile, in Mumbai, she brought veteran Alisha Chinai on stage. The audience witnessed the live performance of her iconic tracks ‘Tinka Tinka’ and ‘Aaj Ki Raat’.

Here are top 5 updates of the day

IRCTC tells vendors to switch cooking methods as Iran war disrupts LNG flow

Indian Railways has asked licensees at station food outlets to switch to alternate cooking methods such as microwaves and induction stoves after a reported cut in LNG supplies linked to the West Asia conflict. The directive, issued through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, applies to food plazas, refreshment rooms and Jan Aahar outlets across railway stations as disruptions in the Middle East affect energy supplies to India.Read full story

PM Modi assures help for Indians stranded in Gulf amid Middle East crisis

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Centre would provide all possible assistance to Indians stranded in the Gulf amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation. Addressing a rally in Kochi, he said India would not abandon its citizens abroad and was working to ensure support for Indians in West Asia.Read full story

Where is Iran’s Supreme Leader? Officials drop hint on Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “safe and sound” despite reports suggesting he was wounded during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, the son of Iran’s president confirmed. The statement comes as uncertainty persists over the cleric’s whereabouts after several days without a public appearance. Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, said he checked with contacts after hearing rumours that Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. He later said they confirmed Khamenei was “safe and sound.”Read full story

Report says Iran was close to acquiring China’s ‘aircraft-carrier killer’ missile

A report suggested that just days before tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel escalated, Tehran was close to acquiring one of China’s most feared anti-ship weapons, the CM-302, often dubbed an “aircraft-carrier killer.” According to reporting cited by the South China Morning Post, a deal for the missile, the export version of the YJ-12, was nearing completion before Beijing publicly denied the claim.Read full story

India buys 30 million barrels of Russian crude after US waiver

India has bought about 30 million barrels of unsold Russian crude after the United States granted a 30-day waiver allowing purchases of shipments already stranded at sea, according to Bloomberg. The report said Indian refiners quickly secured cargoes already positioned in Asian waters, providing an immediate alternative as disruptions affected oil flows from the Middle East.Read full story

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has addressed allegations of preferential treatment after travel disruptions following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 sparked controversy among several participating teams. While some sides were able to leave India soon after their elimination, others remained stranded due to ongoing airspace restrictions linked to escalating tensions in parts of the Middle East.

The tournament concluded on Sunday with India defeating New Zealand in a dominant final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, but logistical challenges have overshadowed the closing chapter of the global event. Teams including West Indies and South Africa were forced to remain in India for several days due to restricted flight routes and safety concerns affecting international travel.

West Indies and South Africa face extended wait

Both West Indies and South Africa experienced significant delays in leaving India after their campaigns ended. The Caribbean side played their final match of the tournament on March 1, yet the squad remained in the country for over a week due to complications involving flight availability and safe travel corridors.

South Africa encountered similar issues. The Proteas were eliminated in the semi-finals by New Zealand on March 4, but were unable to depart immediately afterward. With several conventional flight routes unavailable, the team stayed in Kolkata awaiting clarity on their travel plans.

Meanwhile, England managed to return home shortly after losing their semi-final against India on March 5, which quickly triggered debate among fans and former players about whether certain teams were being given priority.

Michael Vaughan and players question ICC handling

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was among the most vocal critics of the situation, questioning whether the global governing body had treated teams equally.

Vaughan took to social media to express his concerns, stating that all teams should be handled the same regardless of their influence within the ICC structure. His comments fuelled the growing conversation around fairness in logistical arrangements following the tournament.

South African players David Miller and Quinton de Kock also raised questions about the travel situation. Both cricketers publicly wondered why England had secured a charter flight soon after their elimination while the South African contingent was still awaiting clarity regarding their departure.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy joined the criticism as well, revealing that his team had been waiting nearly a week without a clear plan regarding their travel home.

Also READ: David Miller questions ICC after England receive early charter flight following T20 World Cup 2026 exit

ICC reacts to the travel bias claims

Responding to the growing backlash, the ICC strongly denied allegations that any team had been given special treatment. According to an ICC spokesperson, departure schedules were determined purely by operational and safety considerations, including airspace access, flight routing permissions, visa logistics, and aircraft availability.

The governing body explained that England’s departure route from Mumbai remained open, allowing the team to travel via North Africa and Egypt without restrictions. However, traditional travel paths used by teams such as West Indies and South Africa typically rely on major Gulf hubs like Dubai and Doha, which have been impacted by ongoing regional tensions and missile warnings.

The ICC emphasised that ensuring the safety of players, support staff, officials, and tournament personnel remained the highest priority while navigating the evolving situation affecting global aviation.

“Decisions on departure sequencing are being driven solely by airspace availability, aircraft routing permissions, visa requirements and operational safety considerations. Any suggestion that teams have been prioritised based on anything other than these constraints is incorrect,” said the spokesperson as quoted by BBC.

“The safety and well-being of players, support staff, officials, and our own workforce remain our absolute priority as we respond to the evolving situation affecting air travel across parts of the Middle East. For instance, the England team and their staff were able to fly out from Mumbai without restriction due to the route’s airspace being unaffected and flights operating as usual. The ICC categorically refutes any claims of bias in this or other instances, and has been fully accommodating of specific demands and conditions put forth by teams,” added the spokesperspon.

Despite the delays, travel arrangements are now being finalised for the affected squads. The South African contingent is scheduled to begin departing on staggered flights, with all members expected to leave India within the next 36 hours. Similarly, members of the West Indies squad have started returning home in batches. Nine individuals have already departed, while the remaining members are expected to leave within the next 24 hours.

Also READ: New Zealand unveil squad for home T20I series against South Africa, Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham to share captaincy

Bangladesh vs Pakistan (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

NEW DELHI: On the back of a disappointing campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan endured an awful outing with the willow in the first ODI against Bangladesh as they were bowled out for just 114 in 30.4 overs after Bangladesh chose to field first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. The innings began on a steady note with Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat adding 41 runs for the opening wicket, but the momentum quickly faded once the breakthrough came.

What followed was a dramatic collapse, with Pakistan’s middle order falling cheaply and struggling to build partnerships on a challenging pitch.Opener Farhan top-scored early with 27, while Sadaqat made 18, but wickets fell regularly after the first dismissal at 41-1. Batters like Shamyl Hussain (4), Mohammad Rizwan (10), Salman Agha (5) and Hussain Talat (4) failed to convert their starts, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble. The situation worsened when Abdul Samad was dismissed for a duck, and skipper Shaheen Afridi could only add 4 before departing. By the 24th over, Pakistan had slumped to 82-9, highlighting the extent of their collapse.Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated the innings, led by Nahid Rana, who produced a superb spell to claim five wickets for 24 runs, dismantling the top and middle order. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz also played a key role with 3 for 29, while Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with one wicket each.Amid the collapse, Faheem Ashraf tried to rescue the innings with a fighting 37 off 47 balls, hitting six fours and a six, and shared a small partnership with Abrar Ahmed, who remained unbeaten on 0. However, the resistance came too late as Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 114, leaving Bangladesh with a modest target to chase.

India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup led to celebrations across the country. Fireworks lit up city skies. Fans gathered on the streets and outside homes. Social media quickly filled with congratulatory messages for the Indian team. In Kerala, the celebration took a slightly different form. A local businessman decided that the moment should also be shared with the people who help run his business every day. Instead of organising a public celebration, he chose a simple gesture that directly involved his employees.As reported, the decision was inspired largely by the performance of Kerala’s own cricketer, Sanju Samson, whose innings in the final played an important role in India’s win against the New Zealand national cricket team.

Kerala entrepreneur Nithin Babu rewards staff after Sanju Samson’s performance

Kerala entrepreneur Nithin Babu shares T20 World Cup joy with employees following Samson’s Heroics. The businessman behind the gesture is Nithin Babu, a 37-year-old entrepreneur from Pampady in Kerala’s Kottayam district. Reports indicate that he distributed Rs 1.64 lakh among employees working in his garment shops after India secured the World Cup title.The bonus was shared among 82 staff members working at his two retail outlets. Each employee reportedly received Rs 2,000 as a celebratory reward. The distribution happened shortly after the final match. For Nithin, the idea was simply to share the happiness of the moment with the people who contribute to his business operations every day. Samson’s performance in the final appears to have been the main reason behind the celebration. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 89 runs from 46 deliveries, helping India build a strong total in the title match.Many cricket followers in Kerala see Samson as one of the state’s most recognisable sporting figures. For fans in the region, his performances often carry a sense of regional pride.

Nithin Babu makes rewarding employees a tradition after Samson’s key innings

The final was not the first time Nithin decided to celebrate Samson’s batting during the tournament. Earlier in the competition, India played against the West Indies cricket team during the Super Eights stage. In that match, Samson scored an unbeaten 97 runs. After that innings, Nithin distributed Rs 500 to each of the 62 employees working at his main shop. The total amount shared at that time was about Rs 31,000. A similar celebration followed in the semifinal. India faced the England cricket team at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.Samson again produced a strong batting performance and scored 89 runs in that match. Following the semifinal victory, Nithin increased the reward to Rs 1,000 per employee. Around Rs 62,000 was distributed among staff members during that stage of the tournament.By the time India reached the final, rewarding employees after Samson’s performances had become something of a tradition inside the business.

Nithin Babu’s love for cricket shaped his early years

Nithin’s enthusiasm for Samson’s achievements seems to be linked to his own past interest in cricket. As a teenager growing up in Pampady, he regularly played in local tournaments and also represented his college team. Cricket was reportedly a major part of his life during those years. While studying in Class 12, he was selected to join the Kottayam Cricket Club. The opportunity could have helped him continue pursuing the sport at a higher level. Without the necessary equipment, continuing seriously in the sport became almost impossible. Gradually, his focus began to shift towards other career options.

Nithin Babu shifts focus from cricket to career in Bengaluru

After completing his studies, Nithin moved to Bengaluru to pursue a course in business management. During that period, he worked part-time to support his expenses. While travelling to work each day, he often passed a cricket academy where young players trained under professional coaches.The cost reportedly came to Rs 8,000 per month. Coincidentally, that amount was almost identical to the salary he earned from his part-time job. Paying for professional training was therefore not a practical option for him. As a result, he gradually moved away from the idea of pursuing cricket and instead concentrated on building a career.

Nithin Babu’s garment success story

After working for several companies in Bengaluru, Nithin later found employment at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram. Eventually he and his wife Blessy decided to start a small business of their own. The couple opened a garment store in Pampady and named it Feya Garments, after their eldest daughter. The shop started as a modest venture but gradually expanded.Later, they launched another store called JRN Clothing. The couple also established a manufacturing and export unit in Tiruppur. Over time the business continued to grow. Reports suggest that the venture now generates an annual turnover of around Rs 30 crore.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday released a summary of the first 10 days of Operation Epic Fury, the joint strikes with Israel that triggered the conflict with Iran.“CENTCOM launched Operation Epic Fury under the direction of the President of the United States. Its forces are targeting sites to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus, focusing on locations that present an imminent threat,” the command said on its X account.

According to the command, the February 28 operation began at 1:15 am, though it did not specify the time zone. It added that US forces have struck more than 5,000 targets in Iran so far and that over 50 Iranian vessels have been damaged or destroyed in the campaign.It further stated that the United States had deployed the following military assets:B-1 BombersB-2 StealthB-52 bombersLUCAS dronesPatriot missile defence systemTHAAD anti-ballistic missile systemsF-15 fightersF-16 fightersF-18 fightersF-22 fightersF-35 Stealth bombersA-10 attacks jetsEA-18 G electronic attack aircraftAEW&C aircraftE-2D Advanced HawkeyeAirborne Communication RelayU-2 Dragon LadyP-8 maritime patrol aircraftRC-135 reconaissance aircraftMQ-9 ReapersM-142 High Artillery Rocket SystemsNuclear-powered aircraft carriersGuided-missile destroyersCounter-drone systemsRefuelling tanker aircraftRefuelling shipsC-17 Globemaster cargo aircraftC-130 cargo aircraftEC-130H Compass CallCounter-rocket, artillery, and mortar systems

Types of targets struckAccording to CENTCOM, American forces have stuck the Iranian military’s command and control centres, integrated air defence systems, ballistic missile sites, navy ships and submarines, air defence systems, anti-ship missiles, military communication capabilities, and ballistic missile and drone manufacturing.The headquarters buildings and intelligence sites of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also targeted, the command stated.