NEW DELHI: Row 32 and 33 passengers snoozing on board Air India’s new Airbus A350 winging its way from New York to Delhi were rudely awaken by floor vibrations and sound from below their feet, reports Saurabh Sinha. They alerted crew members. Flying near the coast of Ireland at that time, the pilots decided to divert to Shannon, and the aircraft (VT-JRF) operating as AI 102 with 300 people on board landed safely there. In all such intercontinental diversions, the main issue is of visas in terms of getting passengers out of the airport for being taken to hotels. Airline sources say AI arranged for the same and everyone on this flight has been sent to hotels. Alternative arrangements for their return are being made as the aircraft is undergoing checks as suggested by Airbus. “It may be a case of cargo not being secured properly by ground handler at JFK or a panel coming loose. As of now nothing can be said as the aircraftis being checked,” said sources.
GURGAON: A 38-year-old man, who told his wife he was taking their two-year-old daughter downstairs to play in the park, jumped to his death from the 23rd floor of a residential tower in Joyville society in Sector 102 on Monday morning, carrying the toddler in his arms.It was around 7.30am when the father took his daughter to the terrace on the 23rd floor. Police said they received information around 8am and rushed to the spot. Both were taken to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.The man had been living in the society for the past two years with his wife and their daughter. The family, originally from Nangloi in Delhi, ran a public school in Kirari, which teaches students up to Class V. “The wife was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when her husband told her that he was taking their daughter out to play in the park. Soon after, residents heard a loud commotion near the tower and gathered outside,” a senior officer said.Hearing the noise, the wife stepped out too. “She saw a man and a child lying on the ground, their clothes soaked in blood. She rushed downstairs with other residents, only to discover that the two were her husband and daughter,” the officer added.The man’s brother told police he had been suffering from various health problems since the Covid pandemic. According to sources, he had completely lost vision in one eye, while sight in the other had also deteriorated, leaving him deeply troubled for a long time.The couple got married in 2014. They would often leave their daughter with her grandparents when they travelled to Delhi to run their school. The family has not alleged any foul play and declined to file a complaint. The bodies were handed over to them after an autopsy.Police, however, said they are examining the sequence of events, especially why the father took the child with him before leaping from the terrace. “The circumstances appear suspicious, which is why we have initiated an investigation,” the officer said.
NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders have run into multiple problems ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The team first lost Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the franchise to release him from the squad.KKR had bought Mustafizur for Rs 9.20 crore during the auction after a bidding battle with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. The team had hoped the experienced left-arm pacer would strengthen their bowling attack.
Roger Binny reflects on 1983 World Cup glory
However, the move sparked controversy amid political tensions, leading the BCCI to intervene.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board had asked KKR to release the player because of the sensitive situation surrounding the signing.
Injury concerns for Harshit Rana
KKR then suffered another setback with young Indian pacer Harshit Rana. His participation in IPL 2026 is uncertain after he appeared on crutches during the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 in Mumbai.Rana was supposed to receive the Best International Debut (Men’s) award but could not walk to the stage due to his injury, prompting Arun Dhumal to step down and present the award to him.The fast bowler later underwent knee surgery on February 9 and is expected to need two to three months for recovery, which raises doubts about whether he will be fit for the upcoming IPL season. His possible absence could weaken KKR’s pace attack, where he has played an important role in recent years.
Possible boost with Matheesha Pathirana
Despite the setbacks, there may be some positive news for KKR. Player agent Amila Kalugalage recently posted a “person fencing” emoji on X, which many believe hints at good news regarding Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.Matheesha Pathirana suffered an injury while playing for the Sri Lanka national cricket team during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, forcing him to miss the remainder of the tournament and raising doubts about his availability for the Indian Premier League 2026. The pacer had taken two wickets in three matches with an economy of 6.05 before being sidelined. The post, however, confirms that he may’ve fully recovered and is fit to play, and he is expected to play a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ pace attack.KKR have also added Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a backup option. Even so, replacing Rana’s role, especially in the crucial death overs, could still be a challenge for the team as they prepare for the new season.
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JAIPUR: A joint team of Rajasthan ATS and Hanumangarh police is set to visit Ambala after Haryana STF arrested three suspected terrorists with an improvised explosive device, triggering security concerns in Rajasthan and neighbouring states, report Ashish Mehta and Kshitiz Gaur.During preliminary questioning, the accused allegedly said they were planning explosions in several cities across India. Hanumangarh could have been one of the possible targets. Officers in Hanumangarh said they will coordinate with Haryana police to gather details on possible associates and any links to Rajasthan.
The thrill of speeding and obsession with social media popularity turned fatal when a sedan driven by a 20-year-old youth, purportedly at high speed, crashed into the wall of a farmhouse in Jetpur taluka of Rajkot district, killing him and another occupant. Another youth in the car sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment.
RAJKOT: The thrill of speeding and obsession with social media popularity turned fatal when a sedan driven by a 20-year-old youth, purportedly at high speed, crashed into the wall of a farmhouse in Jetpur taluka of Rajkot district, killing him and another occupant. Another youth in the car sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment.Police said 20-year-old Avadh Tiwari, who had recently been released from jail, had uploaded an Instagram story showing the car’s speed at 118 kmph shortly before the accident.According to Police Inspector M M Thakor of the Jetpur Industrial Area police station, the accident occurred between 9:15 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday. When police reached the spot, Tiwari, a history-sheeter, was found dead in the crashed car.
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Two others travelling in the vehicle — Devraj Gosai (16) and Akshay Vaghela (22) — were critically injured and rushed to Junagadh Civil Hospital for treatment. Devraj later succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Sunday, while Akshay is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Police said all three were residents of Jetpur city.Preliminary investigation revealed that Tiwari had four previous cases registered against him at different police stations in Rajkot rural, including charges related to assault. The Rajkot Rural police had also taken action against him under the PASA Act, and he had been released from jail just 10 days earlier.Officials said a case is being registered against the deceased driver at the Jetpur Industrial Area police station in connection with the incident.
Indian left-handed batter all set to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pat Cummins‘ absence in IPL 2026. However, not Abhishek Sharma but Ishan Kishan is likely to step up for SRH as their skipper.
There has been some major confusion over the social media buzz surrounding Abhishek Sharma’s appointment as the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in Pat Cummins’ absence for the first few games of the IPL.
However, Times of India reports have claimed differently, and it seems that Abhishek Sharma’s ill fate in 2026 continues after the T20 World Cup, as a golden opportunity to lead an IPL franchise has been snatched away from him.
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Ishan Kishan’s ‘bull run’ continues with a new role for SRH in 2026
Indian batter Ishan Kishan is having his fortune speak for him in 2026, as he made a shocking return to the Indian XI just at the doorstep of the T20 World Cup and then emerged as their most consistent performer with 317 runs in his maiden T20 World Cup tournament.
After the tremendous success with the Indian team, he has now been handed a promotion by the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the IPL. The Jharkhand skipper, who led them to an SMAT title in 2025, will now lead SRH in Pat Cummins’ absence.
Cummins’ availability is a major uncertainty this season. The Times of India reports have claimed that SRH management has had a long discussion, and they have decided that Kishan best suits the role of wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the Australian World Cup-winning captain.
Ishan Kishan’s heroics in the ICC T20 World Cup
Ishan Kishan played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He scored 317 runs, the second highest for India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with a blistering strike rate of 193.
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He ended his campaign with three half-centuries, and including one in the final, he helped India get past tough opposition. He believed that his performance could motivate the young kids who wanted to grow. He also claimed that the World Cup win showed how hard work can lead to success for any cricketer.
Speaking of his future goals after the ICC T20 World Cup, he claimed that his goal is simply to play good cricket, score runs, and keep winning in whichever format and for whichever team he plays.
Kishan’s performance for SRH in IPL 2025
Kishan was bought at a whopping price by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, which showed how much they anticipated from the Indian left-hander. Ishan Kishan also started off his tournament with his maiden IPL hundred and set the stage for a successful run in the tournament.
However, his form dipped after that century, as he could manage not more than 354 runs for them in 14 matches with a strike rate of 152.58. Throughout his IPL career, Ishan Kishan, who has also played for the Mumbai Indians, has amassed 2998 runs in the IPL in 119 appearances.
With 17 half-centuries and a century, Kishan has hit 288 fours and 134 sixes, which reflects on his boundary-hitting ability and clean striking of the white ball. As a wicket-keeper, he has contributed to 59 catches and five stumpings in his IPL career.
NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson has expressed his excitement about finally sharing a dressing room with legendary cricketer MS Dhoni in the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Although Samson has spoken to Dhoni before and met him during national team camps, he says this will be the first time they will actually play together in the same team.“I’ve spoken to Mahi bhai many times over the phone and seen him around during Indian team camps, but this will be the first time I’ll actually play alongside him in a team, so the excitement is very high,” Samson told PTI.
Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
He believes spending time with Dhoni for a full season will be a great learning experience. “Whenever he calls or we meet, there is always something positive to take away. But being with him in a team for two months and seeing first-hand how he approaches cricket and prepares for games will be a huge benefit for me. I’m really happy and see it as a big opportunity to learn from him.”
Still processing India’s T20 World Cup win
Samson also spoke about India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, admitting that the moment still feels surreal. The tournament was held in India, and Samson played a key role in the team’s triumph.“Not yet, I am still like, when I get up in the morning, I’m like, ‘has it really happened’. So honestly, that’s the feeling. But I feel that in the coming years, with the quality of players we have in our country, this is going to be repeated. The number of players who are coming up in India is definitely going to do this more and more often,” he said while speaking to broadcasters at the BCCI Awards in New Delhi.Samson was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 321 runs at a strike rate close to 200 in just five innings. His performances included a match-winning 97 not out against the West Indies national cricket team in the Super Eight stage, followed by scores of 89 in the semi-final against the England national cricket team and another 89 in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team.Reflecting on his journey, Samson described it as unpredictable and emotional. He continued, “You can only dream where you want to go, but you can’t definitely ride the path towards it. So my life or my career has been one of the best examples. I definitely wanted to do this a couple of years ago. I want to win a World Cup for my country, but it had its own plan, its own script. So, it’s more like a movie. I enjoyed it.”He explained that his mindset changed once he focused more on helping the team rather than personal goals. “As I said before, I wanted to do something like this, then I got pulled out of my journey, and then suddenly, the team wanted me to come and contribute, and that’s when I actually mentally flipped a bit… I think, before that, in the New Zealand series, the focus was all about me,” he added.
Mohammed Siraj’s unexpected World Cup story
Samson’s story was not the only surprising one from India’s title win. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj also experienced an unlikely journey to the trophy. He was not part of the original squad and only joined after Harshit Rana was ruled out with an injury.Reflecting on the moment, Siraj said, “I was not in the initial squad, then I got it, played a game, and now I have been part of two World Cup-winning squads. I would say it’s a miracle for me.”
Thane: The Shiv Sena wants the upcoming suburban railway station between Thane and Mulund to be named after Dharmaveer Anand Dighe, as decks for its completion have finally been cleared after railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav approved Rs 250 crore for execution of the works, said party MP Naresh Mhaske on Monday.Mhaske shared a statement after he made the request for naming the station in Parliament and after Vaishnav approved the funds, following an earlier joint request made by him and MP Shrikant Shinde in 2024.“The Rs 250 crore fund was approved by Vaishnav and the proposal was sent to the Railway Board. The work on the station will start soon. We also pushed the demand to name this station as Dharmveer Anand Dighe Station on behalf of our Sena chief leader and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde,” Mhaske said.Work on the new station, which was designed to ease commuting problems for lakhs of fringe residents of Thane and Mulund, was delayed due to several reasons since 2015. The work was initially to be executed using Thane smart city funds, but considering the lean condition of the corporation, the MPs requested the railways to take over and finance the works.
Afghanistan on Monday accused Pakistan of killing civilians in fresh airstrikes on Kabul, an allegation Islamabad denied, saying it had carried out precision strikes on military and “terrorist” targets.Loud explosions rocked the Afghan capital at about 9.00 pm local time, with plumes of smoke visible from the Shahr-e-Naw and Wazir Akbar Khan areas of the city.Afghanistan’s Taliban government said the Pakistani strikes hit a hospital treating drug addicts in Kabul, killing four people and wounding several others.Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that the Pakistani military had “once again violated Afghan territory,” calling the strikes “a crime” and an “act of inhumanity.” He said most of those killed and wounded were addicts receiving treatment at the facility.Pakistan rejected the allegation. A spokesman for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mosharraf Zaidi, dismissed the claims as baseless and said no hospital was targeted in Kabul.Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the strikes “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban” and Afghanistan-based Pakistani militants in Kabul and Nangarhar. It said the locations “were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians.”The ministry added that Pakistan’s targeting was “precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted.” It described Mujahid’s claim as “false and misleading” and aimed at stirring sentiment and covering what it called “illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism.”Pakistan’s military has struck Kabul several times in recent weeks as tensions rose over accusations that Afghanistan’s Taliban government has sheltered militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan.The latest developments came as deadly clashes continued along the countries’ shared border.Pakistan has repeatedly said its military only targets Afghan posts and militant hideouts. Officials in Islamabad have described the situation as an “open war,” with clashes including multiple Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul President Asif Ali Zardari said Afghanistan’s Taliban administration crossed a “red line” by deploying drones that injured several civilians in Pakistan last week.In response, Pakistan’s air force struck equipment storage sites and “technical support infrastructure” in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province over the weekend, saying the sites were being used for attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul said Pakistan hit two locations, including an empty security site and a drug rehabilitation center that sustained minor damage.In Kabul, Afghanistan’s administrative deputy prime minister Abdul Salam Hanafi said defending sovereignty is the duty of all citizens. Speaking during a meeting with political analysts and media figures, Hanafi expressed regret over civilian casualties in recent Pakistani attacks and said the war was imposed on Afghanistan.
