The US State Department on Thursday announced the closure of the US Embassy in Kuwait following retaliatory Iranian strikes, as the widening conflict in the Middle East began directly affecting Gulf capitals.Iran has fired waves of missiles and drones at the American-allied Gulf country since the start of the war, escalating tensions across the region. Six American soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait on Sunday, according to officials.Black smoke was seen rising near the US Embassy in Kuwait City after fresh Iranian attacks swept across the Gulf. Sirens sounded as drones were intercepted at dawn while authorities warned of continuing missile and UAV threats.One person has been killed and dozens injured in Kuwait since the escalation began.Earlier this week, the US embassy compound itself was reportedly hit by drones. Three diplomatic sources told AFP that the mission sustained damage during the attack.One Kuwait-based diplomat and a Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the embassy had been damaged by several drones. A second Kuwait-based diplomat said the embassy building had been struck directly.An AFP correspondent also reported seeing smoke rising from the diplomatic mission during Iran’s third day of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.Following the attack, the US embassy warned the public to stay away from the facility, citing ongoing threats.The embassy said people should not come to the compound due to “a continuing threat of missile and UAV (drone) attacks over Kuwait”.The escalating conflict has also disrupted other Gulf capitals. Explosions were reported in Doha and Bahrain as the regional confrontation intensified. Authorities in several Gulf countries activated air defence systems and closed sections of their airspace.The conflict, triggered by sweeping US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this week, has rapidly spread across the region and drawn in multiple countries.Iran has targeted American bases and allies across the Middle East in retaliation for the attacks on its military infrastructure, leadership and nuclear facilities.The war has already affected at least 14 countries across the region and beyond. Iran’s retaliatory strikes have targeted neighbouring states, disrupted oil shipments and severely affected global air travel routes.According to officials, the conflict has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 100 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel. Six US troops have also been killed in the fighting.Tensions have also risen along Israel’s northern frontier with Lebanon. The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs and reported clashes with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.United Nations peacekeepers said they observed ground combat west of the border village of Kfar Kila, while airstrikes and explosions were reported near the town of Khiyam.Meanwhile, Gulf states have reported missile and drone attacks linked to the escalating conflict.In the United Arab Emirates, a drone was shot down near Al Dhafra Air Base, which hosts US forces, injuring six people with falling debris. Qatar evacuated residents near the US Embassy in Doha as a precaution and later reported a missile strike on the city.Bahrain said an Iranian missile struck a state-run oil refinery, sparking a fire that was later extinguished. Authorities said the facility remained operational and no casualties were reported.The intensifying conflict has also affected global energy markets and shipping routes. Since the war began, attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices higher and disrupted maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

JDU workers protest against Nitish Kumar filing his nomination for Rajya Sabha, outside the CM’s residence in Patna on Thursday

NEW DELHI: As the nomination process for Rajya Sabha elections spread across 10 states ended on Thursday, moves for new political alignments, including a rare BJD-Congress tie-up in Odisha and unity of BJP’s rivals in Bihar, are up for a stern test, while developments in Maharashtra signalled that attempts for the merger of the two NCP factions have come to naught.While candidates in most states are set to be elected unopposed, both Bihar and Odisha are headed for a keen battle on March 16.RJD’s decision to renominate its outgoing MP and businessman A D Singh has forced a contest in one of the five seats in Bihar. He can even pull it off if all of BJP’s rivals, including 5 AIMIM MLAs and the lone BSP MLA, join hands with the RJD-Congress-Left combine.Yet, the NDA camp, which will have 38 votes to spare for the fifth seat after allocating the necessary 41 votes each to ensure its win on four seats, is sanguine about its prospects in the belief that a contest will only end up exposing divisions in the opposition’s ranks and even force some defections.Unity among all opposition parties will get Singh 41 votes, but AIMIM, which was snubbed by the RJD-led alliance on its suggestion for a tie-up during last year’s polls, is yet to spell out its stand.The political temperature in Odisha, another state where a contest is on the cards, has gone up a notch after Congress decided to back BJD’s choice of an eminent doctor, Datteswar Hota, and BJP then announced its support for former Union minister Dilip Ray, a well-networked hotelier contesting as an independent candidate.Archrivals for decades, BJP’s swift ascendancy in the state has brought BJD and Congress together; both parties can pull together 32 MLAs to ensure Hota’s win against the requisite backing of 30.However, instances of discontent within the two parties have muddied the waters. BJP has a history of outmanoeuvreing its rivals in closely contested RS seats, and its decision to back Ray is driven by its instinct to play on their internal differences to spring a surprise. With all three MVA parties backing Sharad Pawar’s renomination for the lone seat they could win of the seven on offer, claims of his supporters about an “imminent merger” between the two NCP factions should pause.A senior Sena UBT functionary said they have been told there is little possibility of the two factions coming together, as the group headed by Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, never warmed up to Sharad Pawar’s desire – marking a reversal of his public “I have had enough” stance – to do another term in RS .Parth Pawar, the son of Ajit Pawar who is set to be elected unopposed, will be arrayed against his grand uncle as a member of NDA.In the elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats, the BJP-led NDA has continued with its push to expand its social coalition by reaching out to different sections of society, illustrated by their nominees from Maharashtra. BJP has backed a Dalit in Ramdas Athawale, a tribal woman in Maya Chintaman Inwate, a Maratha in its national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Ramrao Wadkute, and an OBC candidate from Dhangar community. Its ally Shiv Sena, too, has picked a Dalit woman, Jyoti Waghmare.

Mumbai: Residents and environmental groups in Mumbai have planned a peaceful citizen march on Friday evening to raise concerns over the reported impact on nearly 45,000 mangroves due to the proposed northern extension of the Mumbai Coastal Road between Versova and Bhayander.The event, titled ‘March for the Mangroves’, will be held on March 6 at 5 pm at Turzon Point in Sector 8, Charkop, Kandivli. Organisers said the march aims to bring together residents, environmentalists and civic groups to express concern over the potential loss of mangrove cover linked to the project.Participants were urged to attend with friends and family and invite NGOs and environmental groups to join the march.Residents said the march is intended to be a peaceful demonstration in support of protecting Mumbai’s mangroves and green spaces, which play a key role in the city’s coastal ecology and flood protection.While approximately 60,000 mangroves fall in the influence zone of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project, around 45,000 are being impacted. Of these, around 9,000 mangroves will be permanently cut. The infrastructure project, estimated to cost the corporation over Rs 20,000 crore, will pass through an alignment area of 103 hectares.Mumbai Coastal Road (North), or the Versova Dahisar Link Road (VDLR), is a 22-kilometre alignment that includes roads on land, elevated sections, roads on stilts, a cable-stayed bridge, and a cut-and-cover tunnel beneath a creek.Compensatory afforestation for all the impacted mangroves will be done on a land parcel in Bhayander, located on the outskirts of Mumbai. Apart from this, a non-forest area in Chandrapur along the Tadoba forest will also be taken up for plantation, which officials said would be in addition to the compensatory plantation being done at Bhayander.

As the cricketing world turns its gaze toward Mumbai, the atmosphere is thick with anticipation for a high-stakes showdown. On Thursday (March 5, 2026), the iconic Wankhede Stadium serves as the battleground for the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, featuring a heavy-weight clash between the defending champions, India, and a resurgent England. While the fans are busy analyzing pitch reports and strike rates, India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya chose a more spiritual route to prepare for the storm.

Hardik Pandya prays at Siddhivinayak Temple with girlfriend Mahieka Sharma ahead of India’s semifinal battle

Hours before the toss, Pandya was spotted seeking divine intervention at Mumbai’s famed Siddhivinayak Temple. However, it wasn’t just his presence that sent social media into a frenzy; it was his companion for the visit. Hardik played the doting boyfriend as he stood by the side of his lady love, Mahieka Sharma, to seek blessings for the upcoming battle against Harry Brook’s England.

The couple opted for a traditional look that resonated with the sanctity of the venue. Hardik looked sharp in a classic ethnic kurta, while Mahieka complemented him in an elegant salwar suit. Fans and devotees caught a glimpse of the two offering deep prayers before the idol of Lord Ganesha.

One particular moment from the visit has since gone viral: the couple was seen sharing a single shawl during the rituals. In a sequence that many fans described as ‘pure couple goals,’ Hardik was seen taking off the shawl after the prayers, only for Mahieka to gently drape the cloth back over his shoulders to shield him from the morning chill. Despite the heavy security, Hardik remained approachable, greeting several devotees with warm handshakes and posing for quick photos, proving that even amidst the pressure of a World Cup semi-final, he remains the ‘people’s superstar.’

Here’s the video:

🚨Team India Star allrounder Hardik Pandya with Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma visited before Semifinal vs Eng in Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai#hardikpandya pic.twitter.com/VE9AKe88hQ

— Cricket Hindustan (@goldensports98) March 5, 2026

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Hardik’s all-round dominance in the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign

While his personal life is making headlines, Hardik’s performance on the field has been the backbone of India’s journey to the final four. In a tournament where several veterans have struggled with consistency, Pandya has evolved into the ultimate clutch player for captain Suryakumar Yadav.

His 2026 World Cup campaign has been defined by balance. Whether it was his explosive cameo against Zimbabwe that helped India post the tournament’s highest total or his crucial wickets during the powerplay against the West Indies, Hardik has been everywhere. Statistically, he has maintained a strike rate hovering near 150 while consistently delivering his full quota of overs with a deceptive bouncer that has troubled the best in the business.

Hardik recently credited Mahieka for his redemption arc, stating in a viral post that she helped him rediscover the cricket geek within. This newfound mental peace seems to have translated into a ruthless form on the pitch. As India face an England side that has gone unbeaten in the Super 8s, the Men in Blue will lean heavily on Pandya’s ability to finish games with the bat and break partnerships with the ball. For Hardik, the visit to Bappa wasn’t just about tradition, it was about finding the calm before the Wankhede roar.

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Ex-envoy Sandhu named Delhi LG, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi moved to Bengal

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi has replaced C V Ananda Bose as the new governor of West Bengal, while former ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu will be the new L-G of Delhi as part of a larger gubernatorial reshuffle. The move to appoint Ravi as Bengal governor immediately came under fire from the CM of the poll-bound state, Mamata Banerjee. The appointment of Ravi, a former IPS officer who had frequent run-ins with the DMK govt, comes days ahead of the announcement of poll dates for Bengal and other states. As part of the changes announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the governor of Kerala, has been given additional charge of TN, while Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), a well-known security expert, has substituted Arif Mohammad Khan as governor of Bihar, and Jishnu Dev Varma, governor of Telangana, has been appointed as Maharashtra governor.

Other changes include UT of Ladakh L-G Kavinder Gupta being elevated to governor of Himachal Pradesh in place of Shiv Pratap Shukla, who has been shifted to Telangana. Current Delhi L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena has been moved to Ladakh as the new L-G. BJP politician and former Bihar Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav is the new Nagaland governor.Bose, whose tenure was marked by his repeated confrontations with the Mamata-led TMC govt, announced his resignation from Delhi.Didi: Shah didn’t consult me over change of guardMamata said Shah did not consult her over the change of guard “as per established convention”. Ravi has been at odds with the Tamil Nadu govt over a host of issues and his expected transfer to Bengal assumes significance due to Mamata’s vehement protest against the EC’s SIR exercise in the state with polls set to be conducted with the new voters’ list. The suddenness of Ananda Bose’s decision was borne out by the fact that a Raj Bhavan social media channel posted his key official engagements on Friday till a few hours before he made the announcement. The engagements included his “presence” at the “first-of-its-kind” Darjeeling Hill Festival, where President Droupadi Murmu would be the chief guest. The election-eve choice of Ravi as Bengal’s 24th governor also prompted the CM to claim that “such actions undermine the spirit of the Constitution of India and strike at the very foundation of our federal structure”. Ravi, known for his confrontations with the Stalin administration, will be stepping into Raj Bhavan just ahead of the assembly election. Bose, as many noted, had been lying low, uncharacteristically, for the last few months, avoiding any fresh tussle with the Bengal government. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, “They (TMC) should stop whining on ethics and morality in a state where the assembly opposition leader has to move the high court 124 times just to hold public meetings.” Raj Bhavan insiders gave a couple of “reasons” for Bose’s decision: ill health and frustration over not being allowed to work by the state administration. It was also becoming increasingly clear in Bengal’s political circles that Bose’s recent non-confrontational approach was not entirely to the liking of the local BJP brass. “He was stymied not by the state administration but by his own actions and inaction,” a BJP senior told TOI.

India’s Lakshya Sen celebrates (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

NEW DELHI: Lakshya Sen delivered a determined performance to defeat Ng Ka Long Angus and advance to the quarterfinals of the All England Open Badminton Championships on Thursday.The world No. 12 Indian shuttler won a tough round-of-16 clash 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 after an intense three-game battle filled with long rallies and physical exchanges. Lakshya, who finished runner-up at the 2022 edition of the tournament, showed strong mental resilience to overcome his opponent, against whom he had previously lost all three matches.

“It was a very solid game, I think both the sets and also credit to him, he made a solid comeback in the second. I think I just didn’t play freely towards the end of the second set and gave too many easy shots for him to kill,” Lakshya said.The match started with Lakshya trailing early in the opening game, but he gradually found his rhythm. Using sharp smashes and precise placement, he recovered from a 4-6 deficit and built a solid lead before sealing the first game after a tense finish.Lakshya looked in control in the second game and even built a comfortable lead midway through. However, Ng Ka Long mounted a late comeback and saved multiple match points to force the contest into a deciding third game.“But yeah I think I was prepared again in the third set to just go all out and happy with the way I played in the third,” he added.“Tactically I was playing the right game both the sets and yeah it’s just the last few points I didn’t stick to the plan, just gave too many easy errors. But again, it was important to just switch off, forget the second set, forget the first set and just play the third set with the same game plan which was working.”In the decider, Lakshya quickly regained control, taking an early lead and dominating with strong defence and fast attacking shots. His opponent struggled to keep up as Lakshya pulled far ahead and comfortably closed out the match.“I’m feeling pretty good on court especially, the last two matches and yeah now it’s time to again recover, another tough match tomorrow so just have 24 hours and then just go all out,” he added.

NEW DELHI: Criticising the practice of litigants, particularly government authorities, of not complying with court orders and filing appeals or review pleas when faced with contempt proceedings, the Supreme Court has said the court should deal with them harshly, otherwise public faith in the judiciary would erode.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan also held that the defence of administrative hurdles, or even impossibility to perform what has been ordered, cannot be invoked in contempt proceedings if a contemner has failed to brief the court the difficulty in implementation of its order within the prescribed time limit. “Delayed filing of appeals should be the exception. But in recent times, the exception has practically evolved to become the rule. Orders passed by courts are not complied with for a long time, and when contempt petitions are filed, belated appeals, with tremendous delay, are preferred,” it said.SC: Disobedient litigants may face criminal contemptIt said, “We, in no uncertain terms, deprecate these practices. It is felt that by such modus operandi, disobedient litigants act brazenly which has the further effect of bringing down the authority and majesty of courts and the rule of law, interfering in the administration of justice. The same may well, in certain situations, border on criminal contempt.”High courts should deal with such “unscrupulous litigants, more so when they happen to be ‘State’, within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution, or like bodies, with an iron hand”, the SC said, adding, “Unless HCs, so also this court, deal with these aspects firmly, we run the clear risk of erosion of the unflinching faith that the ordinary litigants of this country repose in the judiciary at all levels. It is the solemn duty of all of us manning courts across the hierarchy to ensure that the public faith never wavers.”The bench said justice is tempered with mercy but courts should take strong exception to dishonest litigants, and it needs to be examined whether the ‘liberal’ jurisprudence on contempt requires a serious re-look. It also made it clear that contempt proceedings would not be confined only to parties before the court for non-implementation of order, but third parties/non-parties, who are part of the chain in decision-making process, would also be liable for contempt.“Simply put, thus, it is no longer res integra that a party, once becomes or is made aware of an order of this court, if yet acts in wilful default or deliberate non-compliance or any such like conduct against/in breach of the order concerned, makes itself liable to face the full wrath of contempt jurisdiction,” it said.The court passed the order on a contempt petition against Chhattisgarh government officials for not complying with its order on regularising the services of employees, and granted last chance to them to implement it within 15 days.