Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “safe and sound” despite reports that he was injured during the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, said the son of Iran’s president. The update comes as questions continue to swirl about the cleric’s whereabouts after days without a public appearance.Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a government adviser, said he had sought confirmation after hearing rumours that Khamenei had been hurt in the fighting. In a post on Telegram on Wednesday, he wrote: “I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections. They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound.”

The remarks appear to be the first indirect reassurance from officials about the condition of the 56-year-old cleric since he was elevated to the country’s highest political and religious position. His father, Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for decades, was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that triggered a wider regional conflict.Despite becoming the Islamic Republic’s new supreme leader earlier this week, Mojtaba Khamenei has not addressed the public or released any written statement since his appointment on Sunday. His absence has fuelled speculation inside and outside Iran about his health and location as the war intensifies.A report by The New York Times, citing three unnamed Iranian officials, said Khamenei had sustained injuries during the attacks, including wounds to his legs. The officials said he remained alert but was sheltering in a highly secure location with extremely limited communication.Iranian state television has also referred to the cleric as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” though it has not clarified the nature of his injuries or how they were sustained.The uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s condition comes as the conflict across the Middle East continues to expand. The war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and has since drawn in several regional actors, with missile attacks, drone interceptions and naval incidents reported across the Gulf.Iranian forces launched fresh barrages of missiles towards Israel, while Gulf states including Saudi Arabia reported intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and drones targeting military bases and oil facilities. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also said missiles had been fired towards a United States base in Kuwait, though Kuwaiti authorities have yet to confirm the claim.

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NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has asked all its licensees to adopt alternate cooking methods such as microwave ovens and electric induction systems at railway food centres, following a reported cut in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.The directive applies to food plazas, refreshment rooms and Jan Aahar outlets across railway stations, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said.

The move comes as the widening crisis in the Middle East region disrupts energy supplies across India reporting difficulties due to a shortage of LNG supplies.Earlier, railway officials also said that nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders has begun impacting catering operations of the IRCTC, prompting the railways to consider temporarily suspending cooked meal services on trains and issuing refunds to passengers who had pre-booked meals while reserving tickets.Pantry cars on trains largely function as distribution and reheating units and do not carry LPG cylinders. However, disruption in LPG supply to base kitchens has begun to affect the preparation of meals meant for long-distance trains.Earlier on Tuesday, Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured that domestic consumers in India will not face any energy shortage despite the ongoing West Asia crisis.He said supplies of CNG and PNG for households remain fully secure, while industries continue to receive most of their fuel requirements, stressing that there is no need for panic.In a post on X, Puri said, “In today’s informal interaction with members of the media fraternity, we discussed that India’s energy imports are continuing to flow in from different sources and routes. We have taken steps to ensure that 100% supply of CNG & PNG to domestic consumers is ensured and other industries continue to get 70-80% of their supplies, despite the war situation.”The Union government has also invoked the Essential Commodities Act to safeguard the domestic energy market and manage current supply constraints.Under the new arrangement, there will be 100% assured supply of piped natural gas for households and CNG for vehicles, while other sectors will receive fuel based on capped allocations linked to their average consumption over the past six months.These measures come as India, which typically sources about 30% of its natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz, faces logistical challenges due to the regional conflict.To offset the shortfall, the government said India is actively sourcing natural gas through alternative routes to maintain energy security.

India will supply 5,000 tons of diesel to Bangladesh via pipeline starting Tuesday through the Parbatipur border, confirmed Muhammad Rezanur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). “Under our agreement with India, the country is to deliver 180,000 tons of diesel annually through the pipeline. The 5,000 tons arriving now is part of this arrangement,” Rezanur told ANI.Under the deal, Rahman added, at least 90,000 tons of diesel are to be imported within six months. “The consignment arriving today is 5,000 tons, and we hope that within the next two months, we will bring in the total diesel amount for the entire six months,” he said.

The fuel arrival comes as the Bangladesh government continues efforts to monitor stock levels amid reports of illegal hoarding. Earlier in the week, the energy ministry said that drives had been conducted to inspect the situation. “In the current crisis situation, various media outlets have reported that some unscrupulous traders are illegally stockpiling fuel in an attempt to create an artificial shortage in the market,” the ministry stated.To tackle the fuel crisis, the Bangladesh government has imposed supply limits based on vehicle categories. However, authorities noted that some petrol stations are selling fuel beyond the approved quota, hoarding extra stock for profit, and in some cases, engaging in black-market sales or smuggling.“To address this crisis, the government has already fixed fuel supply limits based on vehicle categories. Nevertheless, it has been observed that at various petrol pumps/filling stations, fuel is being sold in excess of the government-approved limit, additional stock is being hoarded for excessive profit, and there are tendencies of selling fuel on the open market and engaging in smuggling,” the ministry added.In response, mobile court drives have been launched to curb illegal stockpiling and ensure compliance. Recent operations by the Executive Magistrate in Dhaka reported the following: City Filling Station, Tejgaon (MPL) has been dry since yesterday, with operations set to resume once new fuel arrives; Clean Fuel, Tejgaon (POPLC) is operating fully in line with government regulations.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially released the full schedule for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with the tournament set to begin on March 26 and conclude on May 3, 2026. The upcoming season promises to be the biggest yet, featuring eight teams and a total of 44 matches played over a span of 39 days.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will kick off the tournament at their home ground, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where they will face new franchise Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in the opening clash. The season will culminate at the same venue with the grand final scheduled for May 3, while May 4 has been reserved as a backup day in case of weather interruptions.

Eight teams to battle for PSL 11 title

For the first time in PSL history, the tournament will feature eight teams. Alongside the existing franchises, two new teams—Rawalpindi Pindiz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen—have joined the league, expanding the competition and increasing the excitement around the tournament.

Each team will play 10 matches in the league stage, ensuring a competitive round-robin format. At the end of the league phase, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The knockout stage will consist of Qualifier 1, Eliminator 1, Qualifier 2, and the Final.

Six venues to host matches

The 2026 season will be staged across six venues in Pakistan, marking a significant expansion of the tournament’s geographical footprint. Faisalabad and Peshawar will host PSL matches for the first time, joining established venues in Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the most matches during the tournament, staging 15 games including the final and Eliminator fixtures. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, while Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium will stage seven encounters.

Karachi’s National Bank Stadium will host six matches, while the Multan Cricket Stadium will stage four games. Meanwhile, Peshawar’s Imran Khan Cricket Stadium will host a historic match on March 28, when Peshawar Zalmi face Rawalpindi Pindiz in a day fixture.

The tournament schedule includes six double-header matchdays, adding to the excitement for fans. Three of those double headers will be played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Also READ: Complete list of sold players at PSL 2026 auction: From Daryl Mitchell to Haris Rauf

Complete schedule of PSL 2026

Also READ: Here’s the list of players of unsold in IPL 2026 but picked in PSL auction

The Supreme Court has permitted passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man in a permanent vegetative state since 2013

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for 31-year-old Harish Rana, who has remained in a permanent vegetative state for more than a decade after suffering a severe brain injury in a fall in 2013.A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan allowed the plea for passive euthanasia filed by Rana’s family after noting that his condition had shown no improvement despite years of treatment. The court said the medical board may exercise its clinical judgment on withdrawing life support in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the landmark 2018 judgment in Common Cause v. Union of India, which recognised passive euthanasia and living wills.Harish Rana was a BTech student in Chandigarh when he fell from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in August 2013. The accident left him with a severe traumatic brain injury and complete quadriplegic disability. Since then, he has remained bedridden and dependent on others for all activities of daily life.According to the court, Rana exhibits sleep-wake cycles but shows no meaningful interaction with his surroundings. He has been receiving clinically assisted nutrition through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, and doctors have found no sign of recovery over the years.

After prolonged treatment failed to improve his condition, Rana’s parents approached the courts seeking permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. They argued that their son had been living in a persistent vegetative state for over a decade with no hope of recovery and that continuing treatment was only prolonging his suffering.Earlier, the family had moved the Delhi high court requesting the constitution of a medical board to examine Rana’s condition. However, the high court declined the plea, noting that he was not on mechanical life support and was able to sustain himself without external aid, and therefore did not fall within the scope of passive euthanasia.The family then approached the Supreme Court in 2024. As Rana’s condition remained unchanged and irreversible, his father filed a fresh petition seeking withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, including clinically assisted nutrition and hydration.During the proceedings, the court noted the findings of medical experts that Rana had been in a permanent vegetative state for over a decade and had shown no meaningful neurological recovery.Allowing the plea, the court said the competent medical board may take an appropriate decision on withdrawing treatment in accordance with the procedure and safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court.In its landmark 2018 ruling in Common Cause, a Constitution Bench had held that the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to live with dignity, which also encompasses the right to die with dignity in cases of terminal illness or irreversible vegetative states. The judgment allowed passive euthanasia under strict safeguards and recognised the validity of living wills or advance directives.Harish Rana’s case is among the rare instances where the Supreme Court has considered and permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in an individual case under these guidelines.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir checks the pitch before a T20 World Cup 2026 match. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has firmly dismissed allegations that pitches in India are “tailored” to favour the home side, saying the team is far too strong to even consider such tactics.Speaking after India’s successful campaign in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Gambhir said criticism about pitch conditions often surfaces only to stir controversy and attract attention.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I don’t agree to that. Why would you tailor something? And honestly, India is too good a team to be even thinking about something like that,” Gambhir said in an interview with ANI.He pointed out that India’s ability to post big totals is not limited to home conditions, highlighting similar high-scoring performances in countries like Australia and South Africa.

“In the T20 format, whether you look in Australia or South Africa, we made 200 runs. If we make 200 runs in India, then the wickets get tailored. So I think some people want to create a controversy. Statements given for views and TRPs should not be acceptable,” he said.The former opener also stressed that pitch preparation during global tournaments is overseen by the International Cricket Council and not the Board of Control for Cricket in India.ALSO READ: Team India Report Card: Perfect finish to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign“Because sometimes it is important to give players a lot of credit as well. It’s not like we made such big scores only in Indian conditions. In ICC tournaments, they control the wickets. It’s not the BCCI that controls them,” Gambhir said.Citing an example from the group stage clash against Pakistan in Colombo, Gambhir noted that India posted a big total on a turning surface while other teams struggled to reach competitive scores.“We even played a match in Colombo against Pakistan where we made around 180 and the rest of the teams were making 140. We defeated Pakistan by a huge margin and no one questioned the pitch there,” he said.Gambhir added that modern T20 cricket naturally produces big scores because the format is heavily tilted in favour of batters.“No one wants to come and watch a 120-run T20 game. Everyone wants to watch high-scoring matches. This is a worldwide phenomenon — in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England as well,” he explained.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning its silence after a US official reiterated the United States has “permitted” India to temporarily purchase Russian oil. In a post on X, the opposition party highlighted remarks by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who called India a “good actor” while using the word “permitted.” The Congress asked: “Why is the Government of India not objecting to this blatant insult to our sovereignty and dignity? Instead of defending India’s honour, Prime Minister Modi chooses to remain conspicuously silent.” The party demanded answers from the BJP-led government, alleging that PM Modi’s silence amounts to silent admission. “So the country must ask: What is he afraid of? Why are India’s decisions being dictated from outside? Why is Narendra Modi being blackmailed by the United States? The people of India deserve answers. Because India’s sovereignty is not negotiable,” the Congress added.Also Read | India once defied pressure to buy Russian oil. So why did it need a US ‘waiver’ now?Leavitt said during a media briefing on Tuesday that Washington has “permitted” New Delhi to temporarily purchase Russian oil to address disruptions in global energy supplies amid the West Asia conflict. She emphasized that India had been a “good actor” by previously stopping purchases of sanctioned Russian oil and that the measure would not provide significant financial benefit to Russia. “I have spoken to the president and the secretary of the treasury, and the national security team made this decision because our allies like India have been good actors. As we work to address temporary global oil supply gaps caused by the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted India to accept Russian oil,” Leavitt told reporters.Also Read | ‘Mind your own business’: Kamal Haasan’s sharp message to Trump on India’s oil policy Her remarks come amid heightened Middle East tensions following the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US–Israeli strikes on February 28. In retaliation, Iran targeted both Israel and American assets in several Gulf countries. The strikes also killed several senior Iranian officials. On March 5, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day waiver allowing New Delhi to purchase Russian crude. Last year, US President Donald Trump had imposed 50% tariffs on India, including 25% for Russian oil imports. Washington had alleged that New Delhi’s purchases were “funding Putin’s war machine” in Ukraine. In February, India and the US announced a delayed bilateral trade agreement, under which American tariffs on India were reduced to 18%. Later that month, the US Supreme Court, through a majority ruling, invalidated Trump’s tariffs, prompting the two countries to defer further trade talks.

North Korea has expressed support for the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader of Iran, while condemning what it described as the “illegal” military attack by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s previous leader. A spokesperson for North Korea’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Pyongyang respected Tehran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ali Khamenei.“Regarding the recent official announcement that the Iranian Assembly of Experts has elected a new leader of the Islamic Revolution, we respect the right and choice of the Iranian people to elect their Supreme Leader,” quoted Aljazeera, citing KCNA. The spokesperson also criticised the US and Israel for launching what it called an unlawful attack on Iran. “We express grave concern and strongly condemn the aggression of the United States and Israel, which, by launching an unlawful military attack against Iran, are undermining the foundations of regional peace and security and increasing instability in the international landscape,” the spokesperson said.The statement added that such actions undermined “the political system and territorial integrity of a country”, which was unacceptable and “must be condemned and rejected by the entire world.” The conflict began after a US-Israeli strike on February 28 that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, triggering the ongoing war in the region. North Korea had earlier criticised the offensive, describing it as “gangster-like conduct”.Separately, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw another test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from the country’s newest destroyer, the Choe Hyon destroyer. During the launch, Kim spoke about the need to maintain and expand a nuclear deterrent. Aljazeera said he referred to the strategic task of “maintaining and expanding a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent”. The test marked the second missile launch from the destroyer overseen by Kim, who recently praised the move to arm the country’s navy with nuclear weapons.The United States has long sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear programme, while Pyongyang has argued that its weapons are necessary to deter potential threats from South Korea and its allies in Washington. In recent months, however, the administration of US President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to revive high-level talks with North Korea, while Kim has suggested the two countries could “get along” if Washington recognised Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear power.