US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was not worried about rising gasoline prices linked to the widening conflict with Iran, adding that the military campaign was a bigger priority.“I don’t have any concern about it,” Trump told Reuters in an interview when asked about higher prices at the pump. “They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.”Oil markets have reacted sharply to the conflict. Global crude prices have climbed 16% since the war began on Saturday as fighting disrupted supplies from the Middle East.In the US, the national average price of gasoline has increased by 27 cents over the past week to $3.25 per gallon, according to AAA, a US travel organisation that tracks fuel prices. The current average is also 15 cents higher than a year ago.Trump, however, said the increase was limited and that prices “haven’t risen very much.”The remarks represent a shift from the president’s recent messaging on energy prices. Last month, Trump highlighted falling gasoline prices during his State of the Union address and again at an energy-focused rally in Texas held hours before the US launched air strikes on Saturday.White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have both held discussions with oil company executives to explore possible steps to counter rising prices, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday.Another White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, said teams working on energy and national security policy were scrambling to identify measures that could help bring prices down.The official said Wiles had warned during internal meetings that failure to address higher fuel prices could be “catastrophic” for Republicans in the upcoming elections.Trump has said the military campaign against Iran could last four to five weeks, though political and military experts have questioned that timeline, noting that the US government has not clearly defined its ultimate objective as the conflict spreads across the region.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week that the administration was preparing a package of measures to tackle rising energy costs. So far, however, the only step announced is US-backed risk insurance for oil tankers and the possibility of naval escorts through the Strait of Hormuz.Officials are also considering other options, including a federal gasoline tax holiday and easing environmental regulations around summer gasoline to allow higher ethanol blends, according to the two sources familiar with the discussions.They said a potential release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve had also been examined. Trump, however, ruled out that option for now during the interview.He said he was not planning to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the world’s largest emergency crude stockpile, and added that he expected the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments near Iran, to remain open because Iran’s navy is at the “bottom of the sea.”Despite the recent price rise, the White House believes the impact on fuel markets will be temporary and expects the pressure on gasoline prices to ease once the conflict stabilises.

Sanju Samson (Pic credit: BCCI)

MUMBAI: Harry Brook tried to laugh it off as he stood with his hands on his knees. Jofra Archer turned back dejected as he walked towards his mark and Sanju Samson heaved a sigh of relief as he marked his guard.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!It was a pivotal moment of the match in the third over, the second bowled by Archer, when the right-arm pacer got Samson to mistime a drive straight to Brook at mid-on. The England captain, though, ended up spilling a dolly. Samson, who was 15 off seven balls at that point, went on to add another 74 off 35 after that in a breathtaking assault on the England bowlers.

England had an opportunity to reduce India to 24/2 and tighten their grip on the match. Instead, they were left ruing things as the Kerala cricketer went on a rampage, scoring an entertaining 42-ball 89 that was built on the back of eight fours and seven sixes, to help India post 253/7. Samson’s knock was the joint-third highest score in a T20 World Cup match, alongside Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 89 against West Indies in the 2016 edition at the same venue.ALSO READ: I made a big mistake dropping Sanju Samson, says Harry BrookWith every Samson boundary, Brook got more and more worried. As Samson cut, pulled, and drove everything that was bowled at him, Brook would have felt like Herschelle Gibbs, who dropped Steve Waugh during the 1999 World Cup.Everyone was looking forward to the Archer vs Samson matchup, especially with the Englishman dominating the Indian opener during the T20I series at the start of last year. Samson struggled against Archer’s pace and short-pitched stuff, scored only 25 runs off the 23 balls he faced, and was dismissed three times.

To add to his woes, an Archer rocket fractured Samson’s right index finger in the last T20I of that series at this very venue, which sidelined him for a month.On Thursday, Samson took guard against Archer, but unlike the 2025 T20I series, where his confidence plummeted with every low-scoring outing, he entered the semifinal on the back of a matchwinning 97 against West Indies. He hoicked Archer’s third for a boundary over mid-on and then deposited a misdirected short ball over deep fine leg for a six.In the third over, the 31-year-old’s heart would have been in his mouth as he watched his drive sailing straight to Brook but once he saw it spooned, he quickly regathered his thoughts and, two balls later, pulled his nemesis for six over cow corner.Archer returned in the 13th over but Samson deposited two of the three balls he faced over the boundary. In total, Samson faced 14 balls from Archer and took 38 runs off him.

NEW DELHI: Congress on Friday targeted the Centre after the United States announced that it would allow India to purchase Russian oil, asking how long this “American blackmail” would continue.In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “Trump ka naya khel, Dilli dost ko kaha, Putin se le sakte ho tel, kab tak chalega ye Ameriki blackmail (Trump’s new game; told his friend in Delhi you can get oil from Putin; how long will this American blackmail continue?).”Congress leader Manish Tewari also criticised the government and said, “Issuing a 30-day waiver — the sanctimonious language of condescension drips with neo-imperial arrogance. Are we a banana republic that we need the permission of the US to secure our energy security imperatives?”He added, “The silence of an otherwise overly loquacious government is deafening. Does it not understand what sovereignty means?”The move comes after the United States issued a temporary waiver allowing India to continue purchasing Russian oil, with Washington stating that the step is aimed at stabilising global energy supplies amid rising tensions in the Middle East.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil.”He added that the US expects India to increase energy imports from the United States in the future.“India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil,” Bessent wrote, noting that the temporary measure would “alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage.”The waiver comes as India faces potential risks from energy supply disruptions in the Middle East, following escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.India sources nearly 40% of its oil imports from the region, with a significant portion transported through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.Russia has signalled that it is ready to redirect crude shipments to India to offset supply disruptions caused by the conflict. Nearly 9.5 million barrels of Russian oil are currently positioned near Indian waters and could reach the country within weeks, according to Reuters.The potential supply shift follows Iranian strikes on vessels in the region, raising fears that the Strait of Hormuz could be partially closed, affecting roughly 40% of India’s crude imports.

Orhan Awatramani, fondly known as Orry, is back in the spotlight for his entertaining online antics. After previously poking fun at his friends Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan, the influencer has now dropped a new video to celebrate Ibrahim’s birthday on March 5. The short clip features both of them, though Ibrahim’s face isn’t fully visible. Still, Orry’s witty caption has sparked buzz across social media.

Orry’s caption grabs all the attention online

Ibrahim, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, who recently made his acting debut with ‘Nadaaniyan’, is ringing in his birthday today. As fans and friends showered him with wishes, Orry surprised everyone by posting a rather cryptic video that seemed to subtly tease Ibrahim. The clip, shared on Instagram, shows the two posing together, with Orry sporting a visible bruise on his forehead. What truly grabbed netizens’ attention, though, was his caption, “It’s still not too late now 2 say Orry.” The video also had a cheeky text overlay that read, “When your mom randomly asks ‘what happened to that one friend of yours?’”.

Orry’s post gets mixed reactions from fans

Shortly after Orry uploaded the post, his friends and followers quickly reacted to it. Veer Pahariya dropped a comment saying, “Unacceptable.” One user humorously wrote, “No ibrahim was hurt in this reel,” while another added, “this is kinda sad but you guys were cute.”

Orry accuses Amrita Singh of causing “emotional trauma”

Orry recently stirred controversy after revealing that veteran actress Amrita Singh had caused him “emotional trauma.” In a chat with Hindustan Times, the influencer opened up about his strained ties with Sara and Ibrahim Ali Khan, saying, “I unfollowed Sara a while ago.. and I haven’t followed Ibrahim in years. Pretending to be friends with Sara means pretending to be ok with the trauma her mother put me through and I just don’t think I can do that anymore.” He further hinted that reconciliation might be possible only if Amrita Singh apologized, adding, “If Amrita Singh were to apologize I could maybe see myself letting it go in the future.”

Orry’s fallout with the Khans

Reportedly, the fight started when Amrita Singh felt uncomfortable about how close Sara and Ibrahim were to Orry. She was said to be acting like a protective mother, worried about the rumours going around about her kids and their friends in the film industry. After that, Orry began showing his anger on Instagram through Reels, comments, and memes. In one reel, which he later deleted, he mentioned “Sara, Amrita and Palak” as the “three worst names,” and after this, Sara and Ibrahim reportedly unfollowed him on Instagram.

Once a game steeped in tradition, cricket has undergone significant change in recent years – and this evolution is good news for its future. While Test matches remain the most prestigious form of the sport, limited-overs cricket and T20 are now pulling in bigger crowds plus vast TV and online audiences, at a time when viewers want things fast-paced, clear-cut, and full of drama.

A Commercial Boom Beyond Borders

Cricket’s expansion is not only cultural. It is financial. Broadcast rights are rising, sponsorship deals are expanding, and fans are engaging in new ways. Around the world, people now even place bets on cricket through international platforms like 1xBet, reflecting how deeply the sport has entered mainstream entertainment. What was once regional is now a global business. Cricket is no longer limited to traditional strongholds.

The Rise of New Formats

Innovation is shaping the next era. The success of tournaments such as the Indian Premier League proved that franchise cricket can transform the sport’s economy. England’s The Hundred introduced a bold 100-ball structure aimed at attracting new fans. These formats reduce complexity and create faster narratives. They are built for television and streaming audiences. The goal is simple: keep the tension high from start to finish.

Emerging Markets and New Power Centers

Cricket will no longer be a sport monopolized by one continent; the International Cricket Council (ICC) is putting its money where its mouth is, bankrolling various development projects in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. And while it may take some time for the benefits to filter through, there is an increasing belief that a new frontier for the game has been breached. The success of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United States has helped to unlock a new market, improve infrastructure, and create fresh possibilities that could see a transformation in the sport’s popularity over the next two decades, with large financial institutions starting to show interest in putting money into cricket programs for the first time.

What Will Define the Next Decade

Several forces will shape global cricket in the years ahead:

• Increased use of technology and data analytics
• Growth of women’s cricket on commercial platforms
• Stronger pathways for associate nations
• Digital engagement through streaming and short-form content

As cricket enters a period of transformation, it is important that the game does not forget its roots but also continues to innovate and evolve. The balance between heritage and innovation will be key as to who prospers from the changes that are taking place. However, one thing is certain, the future of world cricket is looking exciting with more interest, more coverage, a broader reach & greater competition at the highest level than ever before.

Hardik Pandya interacts with Dhoni and his son Agastya. (Video grabs)

NEW DELHI: India’s thrilling win over England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the iconic Wankhede Stadium produced many memorable moments on the field, but it was an emotional off-field interaction involving Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni and Pandya’s son Agastya that has taken social media by storm.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pandya played a crucial all-round role in India’s dramatic seven-run victory. The flamboyant all-rounder smashed 27 off just 12 balls to give India a late push with the bat and then returned to pick up two key wickets during England’s chase. He also produced a decisive moment in the field by running out England’s centurion Jacob Bethell, whose brilliant 105 had nearly taken the game away from India.

But the internet was equally captivated by a heartwarming moment after the match.A viral video shows Pandya looking up towards the stands to greet Dhoni, who was watching from the gallery as fans erupted in cheers. During the interaction, Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma brought his son Agastya next to Dhoni, creating a wholesome scene that quickly spread across social media.Dhoni was then seen helping the youngster locate his father, pointing down towards the players’ tunnel that leads to the dressing room. The touching moment between the legendary former captain and the young fan — Pandya’s son — melted hearts online.An Instagram user who shared the clip summed it up perfectly: “Moments like these are pure gold.”WATCH: Earlier in the match, India had produced a batting masterclass after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson led the charge with a blazing 89 off 42 balls, his second successive half-century of the tournament. He stitched vital partnerships with Ishan Kishan (39 off 18) and Shivam Dube (43 off 25) as India piled up a massive 253/7 in 20 overs.England fought back bravely thanks to Bethell’s sensational century, but India’s bowlers held their nerve at the death. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a brilliant 18th over, conceding just six runs, before Pandya’s tight penultimate over swung the match decisively.England eventually finished on 246/7, falling seven runs short despite a valiant effort.India will now face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, aiming to become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title.

West Indies celebrates (Getty Images)

MUMBAI: Forced to stay back in India following the end of their campaign in the T20 World Cup, the West Indies team might finally be able to fly home on a chartered flight on Friday with assistance from the International Cricket Council, TOI has learnt.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The departures of both West Indies and Zimbabwe were delayed after the situation in West Asia led to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures, disrupting key transit hubs. “West Indies are likely to fly back home via a chartered flight on Friday, with assistance from the ICC. The details of this chartered flight arrangement are being worked out,” a source said.

Another source said ICC chairperson Jay Shah, CEO Sanjog Gupta and the head of events have been in regular contact with Cricket West Indies and the team management to ensure a safe return.West Indies head coach Darren Sammy posted on X on Wednesday: “I just wanna go home,” reflecting the team’s frustration at being stranded in Kolkata. The Caribbean side had been scheduled to leave soon after losing their final Super 8 match to India in Kolkata.Late on Thursday, Cricket West Indies (CWI) released a statement confirming the development. “During a high-level call earlier today, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours. The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals,” the statement said.Zimbabwe leave in batchesZimbabwe, also stranded after exiting the Super 8, have begun returning home in batches after the ICC arranged alternate routes following the cancellation of their flight via Dubai. The team is travelling to Harare via Addis Ababa, with the first group leaving on Wednesday and the final group scheduled to depart on Friday afternoon, Zimbabwe Cricket said.South Africa nextThe ICC is also working on South Africa’s return travel after their semifinal loss to New Zealand. A source said the team is most likely to fly via Ethiopian Airlines, with Emirates and Etihad gradually restoring routes.

His songs fuelled a protest generation. Now the former Kathmandu mayor is taking on ex-PM Oli and asking voters to imagine him running countryKATHMANDU: Everybody wants a selfie with Balendra Shah.In Jhapa district on Sunday, as Nepal prepared for its March 5 election, the line curved along a dusty courtyard in the eastern plains. A volunteer kept the queue moving, allowing barely 10 seconds for each supporter — a handshake, a smile, a photograph. “I am here to see Balen though I have a fever,” a seven-year-old girl said. A middle-aged woman admitted she had left a heart check-up midway. “Just for a photo.”At the centre of the crowd stood Balen — dark blazer, trimmed beard, rectangular black sunglasses. It’s a look so closely associated with him that Kathmandu shops once ran out of the frames he favours, and online retailers still sell them as ‘Balen Shah glasses’. When the man — known simply as Balen — steps onto a campaign stage, the crowd often mirrors him in black shirts and dark shades. He removes his sunglasses only briefly. “Look at me,” he says. “I love you.” Balen, who turns 36 next month, is contesting parliamentary elections from Jhapa-5 against KP Sharma Oli, 74, the four-time PM who resigned five months ago after youth-led protests left 77 people dead. Jhapa-5 lies about 300km southeast of Kathmandu, close to Nepal’s open border with India; Siliguri in West Bengal sits just across the frontier and serves as a key commercial gateway for the region. Oli leads the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist, whose networks remain deeply rooted in this eastern constituency. Balen is running under the banner of Rastriya Swatantra Party, which is less than four years old. The contest pits a first-time national candidate against one of Nepal’s most durable political figures on ground that has rarely favoured outsiders.Balen was born in Kathmandu, the youngest of four siblings. His father, Ram Narayan Shah, a govt ayurveda practitioner who died last Dec, described him as “bright and simple,” a child who wrote poems — a habit that endured. Balen studied civil engineering in Kathmandu and later completed postgraduate work in structural engineering in India. His early life suggested discipline rather than disruption.In 2013, he entered Raw Barz, Nepal’s most visible rap battle stage, and won. His lyrics were pointed and unsparing, targeting corruption, political stagnation and the inheritance of power by the same figures. “More than a rapper, he was a poet,” one organiser said. “He talked about suppressed people.”His songs travelled beyond the underground. On a Discord forum last Sept where young protesters discussed who should steer the country after Oli’s resignation, Balen’s name surfaced more than 16,000 times, making him the most frequently mentioned figure in conversations about interim leadership. Many Gen Z activists saw him as their preferred successor. He declined that role, however, and publicly backed former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki instead. Balen built his following largely online, amassing millions of followers across platforms.“He speaks the language of our frustration,” said Srijan Karki, 23, a software developer. “Other leaders deliver long speeches. He makes direct statements. Even when he is angry, it feels genuine.”In 2022, running as an independent, Balen won the Kathmandu mayoralty with 61,767 votes, defeating nominees from established parties. He governed publicly and confrontationally. Bulldozers tore down illegal structures, and waste collection to Singha Durbar — which houses the PM’s office — was temporarily halted in protest over what he described as central govt inaction.When protests convulsed Nepal in Sept 2025 and demonstrators clashed with security forces after a crackdown under Oli’s govt, anger spilled onto the streets. In Nov, still serving as Kathmandu mayor, Balen channelled that fury in a midnight Facebook post: “F*** America, F*** India, F*** China, F*** UML, F*** Congress, F*** RSP, F*** RPP, F*** Maobaadi. You guys all combined can do nothing.” Two months later, he resigned as mayor and joined RSP. Balen does not regularly engage with the media. He declined Oli’s call for a public debate, instead demanding that the former PM take responsibility for civilians killed during the protests. He instead relies on social media for outreach. Across platforms, he has built an online audience unmatched in Nepal — 3.5 million followers on Facebook, 1 million each on Instagram on YouTube and 4,00,000 on X. The protests of Sept 2025 altered Nepal’s political atmosphere. Young Nepalis poured into the streets over unemployment, corruption and perceived impunity, and Oli resigned. Balen did not formally lead the demonstrations, but he became closely identified with their tone.Aayal Sah, 23, a first-time voter from Janakpur, travelled to see him speak after he joined RSP. “I cannot directly vote for Balen as he is not contesting from our area,” Sah said. “But I’ll surely vote for his party.”In Jhapa’s Damak town, Bipana Oli, 25, a migrant worker who returned from Kuwait to cast her ballot, linked her future to the outcome. “How long I continue working in Kuwait will depend on Balen’s victory,” she said. “And the job opportunities he creates.”

Over the last eight years, Uttar Pradesh has undergone a structural metamorphosis. Historically viewed through its agrarian roots, the state is rapidly pivoting toward an urban-centric economy. Between 2011 and 2021, the shift from agricultural to non-agricultural employment grew at a rate of 7% per decade, outstripping the 5% growth seen in previous decades. This shift is the backbone of a new, diversified economic era for India’s most populous state.

A foundation of governance and funding

The state’s strategy began with expanding the reach of local governance. Since 2017, 117 new Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were established and 123 were expanded to accommodate a surging urban population. This administrative expansion was backed by a massive fiscal commitment: the budget allocation for urban development saw a staggering 287% increase between 2016 and 2025.Funding via the State and Central finance commissions has also scaled dramatically:

Cleanliness as a culture: The Swachh Bharat revolution

The most visible change has been in sanitation and waste management. Uttar Pradesh has moved from a state of “planning” to one of “execution.”

The introduction of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC) powered by AI has turned cities into “smart hubs,” allowing for real-time monitoring of waste, traffic, and even emergency response—a system that proved vital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Infrastructure and living standards: AMRUT & PMAY

Through the AMRUT 1.0 and 2.0 missions, the state has prioritised the basic necessities of life: water and sewage.

Smart cities and modern policing

The Smart City Mission is nearing completion, with 95% of projects finished. Beyond the 10 cities selected by the Central government, Uttar Pradesh launched its own State Smart City initiative for 7 additional cities.A standout achievement is the management of Mahakumbh 2025, which utilised AI and IoT for crowd management and security, achieving a 97% success rate in “lost and found” cases and clearing 161 garbage hotspots through a dedicated force of 12,000+ workers.

Sustainability and social welfare

The “Green” agenda has seen the development of 228 acres of green area and the introduction of the UP Urban Greening Policy. Social welfare has also been modernised:

Conclusion

The data paints a picture of a state in a hurry to modernise. By blending technology (AI/ICCC) with massive civil engineering projects and community-led initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, Uttar Pradesh has laid a robust foundation. The result is a network of cities that are not just larger, but smarter, cleaner, and more resilient.