Mumbai: A new study from the Tata Memorial Centre has highlighted that many modern cancer medicines, especially immunotherapy, are far too expensive for most people around the world, including India.The Tata Memorial Centre –ACTREC study, published in ‘Head & Neck’ medical journal, has mentioned that a six-month course of immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab, in India costs nearly 80 times the average monthly income of most Indians.

Pembrolizumab is used to treat multiple cancers, including of head and neck. Immunotherapy boosts the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer, often using substances made by living organisms. It is a relatively new sphere of cancer treatment, with medicines costing lakhs for a month’s course.The research also found that another immunotherapy drug, Nivolumab, costs more than 20 times the average monthly income for a similar duration of treatment. The research said the affordability crisis in cancer care is global. “Even in the US and the UK, such immunotherapy drugs are deemed financially burdensome,” said the researchers. The team compared the prices of targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs across seven countries, including India, the US, the UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh.Head and neck cancers account for almost 40% of the total cancer burden in India. Many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. While immunotherapy has shown promise, the finances pose a challenge.The researchers also found the money needed to treat one patient with pembrolizumab in India could instead treat 18 to 22 patients with a lower-cost targeted therapy. While these cheaper medicines may not have shown the same efficacy as immunotherapy, they allow many more to receive treatment. Dr Arjun Singh, lead author from Tata Memorial Centre, said: “Immunotherapy is not just expensive—it is completely out of reach for most families. In India, a 6-month course of treatment can cost more than several years of income.” Senior author and ACTREC director Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi added, “When most people pay for treatment from their own pocket, such high costs can push families into poverty.”

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India vs Vietnam (Photo by @afcasiancup on X)

NEW DELHI: India began their Women’s Asian Cup campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Vietnam in a dramatic Group C clash on Wednesday. Ngân Thi Van Su gave Vietnam the lead in the 30th minute, curling a right-footed shot into the top corner. Vietnam nearly made it 2-0 early in the second half, but VAR ruled out the goal for handball in the buildup.

India responded quickly, equalising just four minutes later when substitute Sanfida Nongrum struck on a counterattack, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper. The match appeared headed for a draw until stoppage time, when Vu Thi Hoa delivered a cross from the left and Van Su fired the winner through a defender’s legs. It marked a disappointing start for India, who had also faced setbacks in the 2022 edition, when they were forced to withdraw as hosts due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their squad. In the other Group C match, Japan secured a 2-0 win over Taiwan but had to be patient. Despite dominating nearly 90% possession and registering 30 shots, Japan struggled to break through a determined defence for more than an hour. Momoko Tanikawa finally opened the scoring in the 61st minute after controlling a long pass and finishing calmly from close range. Kiko Seike sealed the victory in stoppage time with a well-timed header. Taiwan failed to produce a shot on target but kept the scoreline close. With temperatures soaring to 37°C (99°F), officials allowed cooling breaks in both halves.Elsewhere in the tournament, Australia, South Korea, North Korea and China also started with wins as all 12 teams completed their opening matches in Australia.

Mumbai: He walked kilometres to school in the hills of Shimla, climbed a 20,000-ft peak in Ladakh in his seventies, and trekked through Antarctica and South America. Somewhere in between, Vijay Mohan Crishna became one of India’s most quietly distinguished actors straddling stage and screen. Best known for playing Shah Rukh Khan’s stern father in Devdas and for his decades-long association with Mahesh Dattani‘s Dance Like a Man, Crishna—former executive director of Godrej Industries—passed away on March 4, aged 80. The cause of death has not been disclosed.Crishna’s acting life began on a Delhi stage in the 1960s, where the young man from Shimla discovered theatre—and, by happy accident, a fellow theatregoer named Amitabh Bachchan. By 1971 he had moved to Mumbai, throwing himself into its theatre scene. He played a tender gangster in Pearl Padamsee’s play Orphans, took the title role in Alyque Padamsee’s tantric-inflected Macbeth, and directed Shaw’s Saint Joan. His greatest association, though, was Dattani’s Dance Like a Man—as Jairaj, a Bharatanatyam dancer past his prime—a role he performed on stage for over 25 years and reprised in Ritesh Menon’s 2014 film adaptation.His tryst with cinema began with Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982) but it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas (2002) that gave him his most memorable screen moment — as the stern, heartbreaking patriarch Narayan. He later appeared in Guzaarish and Hirani’s PK.None of this was his only life. After eight years of management experience in Kolkata and five years in advertising in Mumbai, he had joined Lawkim Ltd in 1977 and helped turn the bankrupt company taken over by the Godrej Group around. Crishna, who then served Godrej Enterprises Group for 45 years, stepped down from the board in 2021 due to advancing age. A lover of wildlife, hiking and racing, his greatest relaxation, he once said, was the daily drive to the workplace in Vikhroli.Actor Anupam Kher expressed his grief and co-actor Lillete Dubey wrote on Instagram: “RIP my Jairaj… you will never be forgotten.” He is survived by wife Smita Crishna-Godrej and daughters Nyrika Holkar and Freyan Crishna Bieri.

NEW DELHI: An Indian national who returned to India in the first batch of flights from Dubai after air travel resumed has described tense nights, emergency alarms and uncertainty as conflict in the Middle East disrupted travel across the Gulf. Saumya Khandelwal, who had travelled to Dubai for work, said she experienced missile alerts and saw debris during the escalation of hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel. “I have seen the missile, and we’ve seen this debris. And then we’ve also seen, we’ve also got alarms in the middle of the night where the government was sending us, the alarms were blaring for us to go to the shelter or to the basement of the hotel and be there,” she said. “It was 12:13 in the night and we get a huge alarm on our phone and we had to rush to the basement.”

Khandelwal had arrived in Dubai on Wednesday and was scheduled to return to India on Saturday, but her plans were disrupted when airspace restrictions were imposed amid rising tensions in the region. “I went on Wednesday and I was supposed to come back on Saturday. The afternoon we got to know that the space is closed,” she said. Authorities asked travellers to remain indoors as the situation unfolded. “We were asked by the authorities to be in the hotel and not roam around on the streets. We were in the hotel. Things were very frightening over there. We were very tense.” Despite the uncertainty, she said both local authorities and residents extended support to stranded travellers. “The government was fully cooperative and the people over there are very warm. There was full cooperation from everybody around. They opened their homes for the people over there.” The Indian Embassy in the UAE also stayed in touch with citizens during the crisis. “We’ve had calls, several calls that if you need any help, if we need anything, any sort of help, they were there to help,” she said. “I received about two, three calls from Indian Embassy.” The sounds of sirens and missile alerts created a climate of fear, she said. “I was very scared and I thought that I don’t think so that I’ll be able to move out of UAE for next two, three weeks at least.” Her family in India was also anxious as the situation unfolded. “It was just a four day trip for work and nobody had imagined that something like this was happening in UAE.” Even as tensions remained high, Khandelwal said everyday life in Dubai continued largely without panic. “Monday the city was functioning normally. People were on the roads, they were doing their daily chores. The groceries were open.” “There was no panic at all, which was the best part. The cabs were running smoothly, the hotels were running smoothly.” She also said hotels and airlines avoided raising prices during the crisis. “You will be glad to know that there was no surge pricing. We were staying at the same price at what we were for the last four days.” “Emirates did not increase even a single penny. I’ve come back at a very nominal pricing.” Residents and businesses also stepped forward to help stranded travellers, particularly during the Ramadan period. “People were distributing food there because it’s Ramadan over there. They didn’t want to kill the festivity of the place.” “Some of the companies opened their houses free of cost. Whoever wants to come, they can live and they can peacefully stay till the time flights resume.” When flights finally resumed, Khandelwal managed to secure a seat on an Emirates flight and rushed to the airport. “The moment Emirates started, I just got another 15 minutes back and I had to reach airport by 6:30.” Passengers remained anxious until the aircraft finally took off. “Our flight was stuck on the runway for about 45 minutes and I was just waiting that please God, this flight has to go.” Once airborne, relief swept through the cabin. “Everybody in the flight, they yelled, they were calling family when they landed. It was a very happy atmosphere. I was almost in tears that time.” Khandelwal also dismissed reports suggesting widespread attacks in central Dubai. “I was myself in the central of Dubai. I was in Business Bay, which is one of the most crowded areas.” “There was no bombing around. The bombing was mostly at the airport side and also around the coast side.” Reflecting on the experience, she said calm and faith helped her navigate the tense situation. “My key takeaway will be that please have faith in God because that kept me going.” She also expressed confidence that authorities would continue assisting Indians in the Gulf. “The government is very very cooperative. If you have any problem, you talk to people around and they’re all very calm.” “I’m sure our government relationship with the UAE government is phenomenal and they’re going to get back Indians whoever are stuck.” Despite the ordeal, Khandelwal said she intends to return to the UAE once the situation stabilises. “The moment this is sorted, I’m going to go back to UAE for work.”

In a night that will be remembered for years in T20 Internationals (T20Is), New Zealand opener Finn Allen delivered a breathtaking performance to power the Black Caps into the T20 World Cup 2026 final. Playing at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, the 26-year-old smashed a sensational unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls, leading New Zealand to a commanding nine-wicket win over South Africa. His blistering knock not only sealed New Zealand’s place in Sunday’s final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium but also set a new record for the fastest century in Men’s T20 World Cup history.

Chasing a target of 170, Allen produced an innings that left fans and experts in awe. He tore apart the South African bowling attack, smashing 10 fours and eight sixes in a knock that combined fearless hitting with remarkable precision. The Kiwi opener raced to his half-century in just 19 balls, the fastest fifty ever scored by a New Zealand batter in a T20 World Cup. He then accelerated even further, reaching his hundred in only 33 deliveries, breaking Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the fastest century in the tournament.

Even more astonishing was Allen’s control during the innings. Out of the 33 balls he faced, only four were dot balls, highlighting the relentless pressure he placed on the South African bowlers. His strike rate of 303.03 ensured that the chase never truly looked challenging. To make the moment even more special, Allen became the first player to score a century in a T20 World Cup knockout match, adding another historic milestone to his incredible night.

South Africa recover after early collapse

Earlier in the match, South Africa had struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat first by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner. Their innings got off to a disastrous start when Cole McConchie struck twice in the second over, dismissing Quinton de Kock for 10 and sending Ryan Rickelton back for a golden duck. Suddenly, the Proteas found themselves in trouble at 12 for 2.

The pressure only intensified when Rachin Ravindra removed captain Aiden Markram for 18 and the dangerous David Miller for just six runs. With South Africa reduced to 77 for 4, the unbeaten team of the tournament appeared to be heading toward a disappointing total.

A brief fightback came through Dewald Brevis, who scored a determined 34 from 27 balls. However, when he fell to James Neesham, South Africa slipped to 108 for 5, leaving them in a difficult position.

The turning point for the Proteas came through Marco Jansen, who launched a counterattack in the later stages of the innings. Partnering with Tristan Stubbs, who contributed 29 runs, Jansen helped add a crucial 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The tall all-rounder then took charge in the death overs, finishing unbeaten on 55 off 30 balls, including five sixes and two fours, to push South Africa to a competitive 169 for 8.

Finn Allen’s blitz leaves Proteas helpless

Despite South Africa’s late surge, what followed in the chase was sheer dominance from New Zealand. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert came out with aggressive intent and completely dismantled the Proteas bowling attack. The opening pair raced to 84 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket –  the highest powerplay total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup knockout match.

Seifert played a superb supporting role, scoring 58 off 33 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Together, the duo stitched a 117-run opening partnership, putting New Zealand firmly in control of the match.

Seifert was eventually dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, but by then the contest was already slipping away from South Africa. Allen continued his assault with fearless strokeplay, smashing bowlers like Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen to all parts of the ground.

In fitting fashion, Allen brought up his historic century and sealed the victory with a powerful six over mid-off, sending the New Zealand fans into celebration. The Black Caps completed the chase in just 12.5 overs, with 43 balls to spare, marking one of the most dominant semi-final victories ever seen in T20 World Cup history.

Also READ: “He will be the biggest factor vs England” – Mohammad Kaif’s massive statement ahead of IND vs ENG T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal

Here’s how fans reacted:

Into the Final!

The fastest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup century ever from Finn Allen (100* off 33) leads the chase in Kolkata 🔥 #T20WorldCup | 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/TUfYc5k48u

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 4, 2026

If Finn Allen was Icelandic, we would tear down our statue of Leifur Eiríksson in the heart of Reykjavík and add one of him.

33 balls, 100 runs, SR of 303, and SA absolutely bulldozed!

Sensational! pic.twitter.com/hPJIzxHVpu

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) March 4, 2026

New Zealand won by 9 wickets 🔥

South Africa: 169/8 (20 Ov)
New Zealand: 173/1 (12.5 Ov)

Player of the Match: Finn Allen#SAvNZ #T20WorldCup #cricket pic.twitter.com/gwqnpnYiji

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 4, 2026

WHAT. AN. INNINGS. 🙌

Finn Allen smashed the fastest-ever hundred in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, off just 33 deliveries, to guide New Zealand to the final! 🖤#T20WorldCup #SAvNZ pic.twitter.com/HI1THR9wBR

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2026

Finn Allen 🤌

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 4, 2026

Into the Final!

The fastest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup century ever from Finn Allen (100* off 33) leads the chase in Kolkata 🔥 #T20WorldCup | 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/TUfYc5k48u

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 4, 2026

Finn Allen what a time to score 💯 👏

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 4, 2026

FINN ALLEN IN THIS T20 WORLD CUP 2026:

Innings – 7.
Runs – 289.
Average – 57.80.
Strike rate – 203.52.
Fours – 24.
Sixes – 20.
Highest score – 100*.

– Finn Allen, The Monster! pic.twitter.com/GOSA5NtcLF

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) March 4, 2026

Finn Allen 33 ball 100 kicked South Africa outside world cup 💥🤯
And it is the fastest 💯 in WC history !!!#NZvsSA #SAvsNZ #finnallen pic.twitter.com/2XX1aPRVcB

— Sky (@SkyStorm__18) March 4, 2026

Hundreds for NZ in T20 WCs

123 – Brendon McCullum vs BAN, Pallekele, 2012
104 – Glenn Phillips vs SL, Sydney, 2022
100* – Finn Allen vs SA, Kolkata, 2026#T20WorldCup #newzealand #Cricket #T20WC @cricketworldcup @ICC

— Factssssssss (@factsssssssonly) March 4, 2026

Fasted T20i hundreds

33 balls – Finn Allen
35 balls – Rohit Sharma and David Miller
37 balls – Abhishek Sharma

Finn allen just broke a record today that stayed about 9 years 🫡🔥 pic.twitter.com/VAm0FOKGE2

— Manjit🇳🇵 (@CricManjit) March 4, 2026

Finn Allen that is one of the most disgusting innings I’ve ever seen in a knock out match. Absolutely filthy.

— Louis Herman-Watt (@LouisHWatt) March 4, 2026

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – India vs England 2nd Semi-Final Ticket Prices and Sitting Details

The disruption of Middle East energy supplies due to the Iran war is pushing global oil and gas prices higher, a development that could strengthen Russia’s finances and indirectly support its war effort in Ukraine.Rising energy prices are increasing the revenue Russia earns from oil and gas exports – a key pillar of the Kremlin’s budget that helps fund government spending, including military operations, reported news agency AP. Prices for Russia’s oil exports have risen from under $40 per barrel as recently as December to about $62 per barrel. The increase began with fears of war and accelerated after tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – a route that carries around 20 per cent of the world’s oil consumption — was largely disrupted.

Although Russian crude still trades at a significant discount to the global benchmark Brent crude, the price is now above the $59 per barrel level assumed in Russia’s 2026 budget plan. Brent crude itself has climbed above $82 from the closing price of $72.87 recorded on the eve of the US and Israeli strike on Iran.Oil and gas taxes account for up to 30 per cent of Russia’s federal budget.At the same time, disruption in the production and shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar — one of the world’s largest suppliers — is expected to intensify global competition for available LNG cargoes, including those from Russia.

A change in fortunes for Russia

Before the latest escalation in the Middle East, Russia’s energy revenues had weakened.State oil and gas income fell to a four-year low of 393 billion rubles ($5 billion) in January, while the country’s budget deficit widened to 1.7 trillion rubles ($21.8 billion) that month, the largest shortfall on record, according to Russia’s Finance Ministry.The decline in revenue had been driven by lower global oil prices and deep discounts on Russian crude caused by Western sanctions and restrictions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers used to ship oil to major buyers such as China and India.Economic growth has also slowed as military spending has stabilised. President Vladimir Putin has responded by increasing taxes and borrowing more from domestic banks to keep government finances stable during the fifth year of the war in Ukraine.“Russia is a big winner from the war-related energy turmoil,” said Simone Tagliapietra, energy expert at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels, quoted AP. “Higher oil prices mean higher revenues for the government and therefore stronger capability to finance the war in Ukraine.”Amena Bakr, head of Middle East and OPEC+ insights at analytics firm Kpler, wrote: “With Middle East barrels facing logistical disruption, both India and China face strong incentives to deepen reliance on Russian supply.”Meanwhile, the price of natural gas for future delivery in Europe has surged, raising concerns about the European Union’s plan to phase out imports of Russian LNG by 2027.The spike in gas prices has revived memories of the 2022 energy crisis that followed Russia’s decision to halt most pipeline gas supplies to Europe after the invasion of Ukraine.

Strait of Hormuz closure key risk

Analysts say the extent of Russia’s potential financial gains will depend largely on how long the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping.Alexandra Prokopenko, an expert on the Russian economy at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, said a short conflict would likely bring Brent crude back to about $65 per barrel and “a short-lived spike would not fundamentally change” Russia’s fiscal outlook.A middle scenario, where some shipping resumes and oil stabilises around $80 per barrel, could provide Russia with “some fiscal relief,” depending on how long prices remain elevated.However, a prolonged closure of the strait – especially if Iranian strikes damage refineries and pipelines — could push oil prices to $108 per barrel, increase inflation and push Europe closer to recession.“This scenario would bring the largest windfall to Russia,” she said.Even a few weeks of disruption to LNG shipments from the Gulf could trigger political pressure within Europe to reconsider plans to stop signing new Russian LNG contracts after April 25, according to Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory Ltd.“The EU is under even more pressure to work with the U.S. to find a solution to the Ukraine conflict and, very likely, to consider easing the plan for a total block for Russian oil and gas imports,” he said.“Countries such as Hungary and Slovakia and those who have been big buyers of Russian LNG, will press for that review.”Weafer added that Russia’s budget performance could already improve in the near term.“In any case the Russian federal budget will have a much better result in March,” he said, citing smaller discounts on Russian oil and strong global demand.

Russia signals readiness to increase supplies

Russia has also indicated it is ready to increase energy exports.Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russian oil was “in demand” and that Moscow was prepared to expand supplies to China and India, according to the Tass news agency.Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, mocked European leaders over energy security concerns.Writing on X, he said: “surely the wise Ursula and Kaja have a backup LNG plan. Or maybe not.”Despite efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy, several European countries continue to import significant volumes.Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain together import around 2 billion cubic metres of Russian LNG each month. In addition, Hungary receives roughly 2 billion cubic metres monthly via the Turkstream pipeline running across the Black Sea.Tagliapietra estimated that Russian gas supplies could total about 45 billion cubic metres in 2026 — roughly 15 per cent of Europe’s gas demand.Replacing those volumes would be difficult if the global LNG market tightens due to disruptions in the Middle East, he said.

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted it was simply a night where very little went his side’s way as a rampant New Zealand national cricket team stormed into the T20 World Cup final with a crushing nine-wicket win at Eden Gardens.New Zealand’s charge was led by a breathtaking 33-ball century from Finn Allen, the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history, as they chased down 170 in just 12.5 overs. For Markram, the damage was done early.

“I think you look at conditions early and they bowled really well up front. Ball didn’t quite feel like coming on, some were just stopping on the wicket and some were hitting quite low on the bat and they made scoring really tough and through that pressure builds and you lose wickets unfortunately,” Markram said.He credited the Kiwi bowling unit for squeezing his side during the powerplay, where scoring never quite flowed. “So give credit to their bowling unit and obviously with the bat, someone plays an innings like that, don’t think you will come out on the right side of the result many times as a fielding team.”South Africa eventually posted 169 for 8, thanks largely to Marco Jansen’s unbeaten 54 off 30 balls and a crucial stand with Tristan Stubbs after they had slumped to 77 for 5. Markram felt there was still hope at the break.“To get to 170 was a great effort to be fair. At the halfway point we really felt like we had a sniff,” he said.That optimism quickly faded as Allen and Tim Seifert tore into the bowling. “But then, as it goes in T20 cricket.. (in) the powerplay (they) got off to a flyer and can’t protect every boundary unfortunately, and yeah they got away and then from there it was really hard to pull it back.”Markram reserved special praise for the openers who killed the contest inside the first six overs. “So we give massive credit to Finn Allen’s knock, Tim Seifert’s knock to kill the game as early as they did, and yeah unfortunately, it was just that bad night for us tonight.”Reflecting on what could have been done differently, the skipper suggested a quicker tactical adjustment with the bat might have helped.“It’s hard to say right now. We’ll reflect as the group. I think we expected the wicket to play really well. It looked pretty good to the eye, so potentially just adapt a bit quicker with the bats and go back to maybe a bit more old school approach, set it up and try to scrape your way to 190, and maybe you’ll be in the game from there.”Despite the disappointment of falling short of another final, Markram stood firmly behind his squad. “So yeah, we’ll reflect as a group. Obviously disappointed with the result, but very proud of this group of guys who have played some really good cricket throughout this comp, and it’s just an unfortunate evening really.”