Global superstar Priyanka Chopra Jonas revealed that she will be one of the official hosts for the 98th Academy Awards. This year, the event is planned for March 15.

Priyanka shared the news on social media and revealed the lineup of presenters for the esteemed awards event, thereby confirming her attendance. The caption read, “The 2026 Academy Awards. ”

Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the other famous members of the Hollywood group who will be on stage during the event, making for a reunion that Iron Man franchise enthusiasts have been anticipating.

Following her recent participation in the Golden Globe Awards, Priyanka made the announcement.

Here, the actress presented an award and strolled the red carpet with K-pop celebrity Lisa.

Priyanka had previously given out an award at the event, enhancing her visibility at significant occasions in Hollywood and elsewhere around the world.

Speaking about the actress on a professional basis, she has been visiting India frequently for her responsibilities in the Indian film industry, in addition to being incredibly busy with her international obligations.

Priyanka’s next film is SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, which also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mahesh Babu in the lead roles. The actress will be portraying a powerful character in the film.

In a recent interview, the filmmaker praised Chopra’s acting abilities, saying that she is one of the few performers who can effortlessly transition between vulnerability and ferocity on screen.

Rajamouli had used the platform formerly known as Twitter to praise the actress, who will also appear in Varanasi, his next epic action-adventure movie.

“@priyankachopra is one of the few actors who can be completely vulnerable one minute and fiercely strong the next,” he stated.

As the city of Varanasi in India gets ready for the approaching asteroid, the story follows Rudra’s experiences.

The story covers many timelines and continents.

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED), an International Day by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and brought to you by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), has chosen the Adani Group as its official partner for the year 2026.

This is the first time the WFEO has selected an Indian group to acknowledge the work of engineers on World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.

According to India’s largest infrastructure, utility, and transportation developer, this demonstrates the Adani Group’s leadership in promoting the transition to clean energy and its capacity to provide clean, dependable, and cost-effective electricity at scale, thereby bolstering India’s energy security and advancing global sustainability goals (Sustainable Development Goal 7).

We are proving that clean energy may be both large-scale and inexpensive, potent, and inclusive. This is India’s gift to the globe: a paradigm where progress and sustainability advance simultaneously. India’s climate efforts are symbolized by our renewable energy facility in Khavda.

According to Adani Green Energy Executive Director Sagar Adani, it demonstrates the combined power of Adani Green Energy, Adani Energy Solutions, and Adani New Industries collaborating to promote an integrated renewable future.

The focus of ‘WED 2026‘ is on smart engineering for a sustainable future through digitalization and innovation.

This perspective is reflected in the Adani Group’s operations in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and large-scale transportation and utility infrastructure, which shows how technology-driven engineering may foster sustainable development in real-world settings.

The planned capacity of the Khavda renewable energy project in Gujarat is 30 GW by 2029, which the WFEO has highlighted as a defining example of India’s green transition under its World Engineering Day 2026 program and has featured a short film showcasing the scale, ambition, and impact of the project.

It spans 538 square kilometers, making it five times larger than Paris and about the same size as Mumbai. It will be the biggest power plant in the world across all energy sources when it is finished.

At Khavda, AGEL has so far put into operation a cumulative renewable energy capacity of more than 7 GW, and by 2029, it will have produced the entire 30 GW.

The second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup saw India defeat England in a thrilling seven-run victory at the famous Wankhede Stadium, securing a championship match against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Men in Blue are now only one step away from winning the championship twice and becoming the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup championship.

Sanju Samson‘s explosive 89 off 42 deliveries propelled India to 253/7 against England in their first innings. Samson continued his strong play in the tournament, scoring 89 runs in 42 deliveries, which included seven sixes and eight fours. With forceful stroke play all over the field, the right-hander anchored India’s innings and dominated the England bowlers from the start.

Samson and Ishan Kishan, who scored a blistering 39 off just 18 balls, formed a vital 97-run stand for the second wicket after Abhishek Sharma was dismissed early for nine. Then, along with Shivam Dube, who scored a quick 43 off 25 balls, Samson scored another 43 runs for the third wicket.

Before ultimately being caught by Phil Salt off Will Jacks as he tried a wide stroke, Samson scored his half-century in only 26 deliveries, making it his second consecutive fifty in the competition.

India surpassed the 250 mark with late cameos from Hardik Pandya, who hit 27 off 12 deliveries, and Tilak Varma, who smashed 21 off only seven balls. Despite taking two wickets apiece for England, Adil Rashid and Will Jacks found it difficult to hold back India’s aggressive batting lineup.

England had an early setback when Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy each took a wicket during the power play, but the English team appeared unperturbed by the blows and brought their score to 68/3 at the conclusion of the sixth over.

Despite the 2022 champions’ top-order collapsing, middle-order batsman Jacob Bethell maintained his team in the game with a magnificent century, the third quickest for England. He established important alliances with Jos Buttler and Tom Banton before introducing a game-changing 77-run partnership with Will Jacks and a 50-run partnership with Sam Curran, both of which helped to maintain the momentum in check.

But Pandya put pressure on England by dismissing Curran in the second to last over. In spite of Bethell’s continued efforts and outstanding performance, Bumrah and Pandya’s timely bowling in the end forced England to require 30 runs in the last over.

India kept Brook-led side to 246/7 in 20 overs, and a superb fielding performance resulted in Bethell’s dismissal off the first ball, ending England’s hopes as Dube was entrusted with bowling the final over.

As India advanced to the final for the second time in a row, the team headed by Harry Brook lost by eight runs.

Great game, England played well! What a group effort What amazing performances by Hardik Pandya, ShivamDube, Tilak Varma, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Sanju Samson was outstanding! Amazing. The BCCI president, Mithun Manhas, stated that we will be moving on to the finals in Ahmedabad.

The ideal conclusion to the evening! This is what a great match attitude looks like: Team India’s fearless cricket, mental fortitude, and excellent teamwork. Huge thanks to Sanju Samson and Jacob Bethell for their performance today. That’s the mentality that elevates large games to an even higher level. I’m really pleased with the guys and how well they’re representing the nation. Former cricketer Suresh Raina wrote on X, “Only one step away now. ”

Harbhajan Singh, the former spinner, commended the team’s bowling at the conclusion as well as Samson’s innings. “How many runs are considered safe these days?? ” The IND vs. ENG semi-final was insane. The game-changer was TeamIndia’s decision to prioritize bowling above dying. Big congrats on the victory. Once more, @IamSanjuSamson showed that he is committed to playing serious cricket. In addition, @IamShivamDube and @TilakV9 made significant contributions. At the end, @Jaspritbumrah93 and other bowlers obliterated them. For the finale, maintain the momentum.

The team effort was also praised by Yusuf Pathan, a former all-rounder for India. “@BCCI shows excellent teamwork. ” Jasprit Bumrah’s 18th over completely altered the course of the match, Axar Patel excelled in the field, and Sanju Samson delivered a fantastic performance. Outstanding victory! “INDvENG”

Bumrah’s impact was highlighted by his brother Irfan Pathan. “My Man of the match in a 500-run game is Jasprit Bumrah. 8. 25 economy. He made all the difference.

A performance characterized by composure, conviction, and stepping up when it counted the most, according to VVS Laxman. Team India’s stunning triumph in the semifinals deserves praise. For the finals, I send the team my best wishes.

The exciting match was lauded by Angelo Mathews, a former Sri Lankan all-rounder. “@ECB_cricket’s one heck of a chase, and what a knock from bethel! What a match! India manages to accomplish it somehow! Anticipating a great conclusion!

The crew was also congratulated by Lalit Modi, the creator of the Indian Premier League. “Cheers to TeamIndia for defeating England in a nail-biting contest. To India’s 253 runs, England responded with an incredible pursuit. To the pleasure of all cricket enthusiasts, both clubs played exceptionally well. I can’t wait for the finals. A big shout out to @gautamgambhir and his team. Excellent. ”

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan emphasized the team’s combined performance on the field, with the bat, and with the ball. “The boys put on an outstanding show in a great match, with @IamSanjuSamson leading the way with the bat, @IamShivamDube offering excellent support, and @Jaspritbumrah93 leading a disciplined bowling attack with @hardikpandya7’s critical penultimate over making a significant impact. A special shout out to @akshar2026 for that outstanding performance in the field, snagging two incredible catches. Consecutive finals of the T20 World Cup. One more to go.

The thrilling match was best described by Anjum Chopra, the former captain of the India women’s team. “Relief and belief! ” India wins by seven runs after 253 on board. At Wankhede Stadium, there was another run fest.

The exciting high-scoring match that secured India’s place in the championship game captivated the cricket world.

Brief scores:

India 253/7 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Shivam Dube 43, Ishan Kishan 39; Will Jacks 2-40, Adil Rashid 2-41)
England 246/7 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 105, Will Jacks 35; Hardik Pandya 2-38, Jasprit Bumrah 1-33, Axar Patel 1-35)

The wedding of Arjun Tendulkar, the son of renowned hitter Sachin Tendulkar, to businessman Saaniya Chandhok took place on Thursday in front of a number of well-known figures from the cricket world.

Following their wedding, Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok have received congratulations from former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, who also wished the pair a joyful marriage.

Raina gave the newlyweds a congratulatory message and also extended his greetings to cricket great Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar. On Instagram, the 39-year-old also uploaded a picture of the wedding, in which the cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra was seen posing with the newly married couple.

“Congratulations @arjuntendulkar24 & Sanya! ” Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness in your marriage! Raina wrote, “Congratulations, paji @sachintendulkar & Anjali bhabhi. ”

In addition to Raina, the couple have received blessings on their special day from other well-known figures in Indian cricket, such as former India captain MS Dhoni, former head coach Rahul Dravid, legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad, to name a few.

Jay Shah, the head of the International Cricket Council (ICC), also traveled to Mumbai to see the wedding and offer the newlyweds his best wishes. On Thursday evening, he is anticipated to be at the renowned Wankhede Stadium to witness the semifinal match of the T20 World Cup 2026 between India and England.

Prior to this, in August 2025, Arjun and Saaniya exchanged vows in a small ceremony witnessed by their closest friends and family.

The celebrations for Arjun’s wedding started earlier this week with a number of rituals and celebrations. In Mumbai, numerous past and present cricketers attended pre-wedding festivities such as mehendi and sangeet ceremonies.

Saaniya, Arjun’s wife, is a Mumbai-based businesswoman who hails from a well-known business family and is the granddaughter of Ravi Ghai, chairman of the Graviss Group and an industrialist. Her work as a veterinary technician and entrepreneur has made her well-known in the pet care and animal welfare industry.

Denis Alipov, the Russian ambassador to India, urged resolving the issue through talks on Thursday as tensions continue to rise in the midst of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The Russian diplomat also stated that even though Moscow has always been willing to supply oil to India, it is up to New Delhi to choose its suppliers, as worries about the global price increases following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz increase.

Alipov stated during a press conference in New Delhi that the only way to get a resolution is through negotiation. The conflict has to end right away.

“I have no idea how long the war will last,” he said in response to the question. This is a question for the United States.

Alipov stated, It is India’s responsibility to decide on supplies and supply sources, as there are rumors that the Strait of Hormuz may be closed, which would significantly increase fuel prices worldwide. India has always been a place where we are happy to sell oil.

In response to the unjustified armed assault by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, Russia denounced it and emphasized the critical necessity for a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.

At the request of the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone on Saturday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The Iranian minister discussed the measures taken by the Iranian government to counter US and Israeli aggression, which has once more undermined efforts to reach a peaceful conclusion to the Iranian nuclear issue. The Russian MFA published a statement following the phone call in which he said that he will call an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

The unjustified military assault on Iran by the US and Israel, which breaks international law’s tenets and norms and pays no attention to the serious ramifications for regional and worldwide stability and security, was denounced by Sergei Lavrov. The article noted that the minister stressed the importance of immediately halting attacks against the Islamic Republic and bringing the situation back to a political and diplomatic resolution.

Lavrov stated that Russia is prepared to help in the quest for peaceful solutions built on mutual respect, international law, and a balance of interests, including in the UN Security Council.

Following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran aimed at weakening Tehran’s missile capabilities and overall military infrastructure, the West Asian conflict started.

In the initial strike of the operation, prominent members of the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were murdered, prompting a massive retaliatory response from Iran in the form of drone and missile strikes aimed at US assets, regional capitals, and allied troops throughout West Asia.

At its new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus, IBM, a leading IT company, unveiled its first Infrastructure Innovation Center on Thursday.

As a center for cutting-edge infrastructure engineering and AI innovation, serving both domestic and international markets, the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Centre strengthens IBM’s strategic investment in India.

The center is intended to be a cooperative engineering center that will bring together IBM’s systems architects and infrastructure professionals from ISDL to work with customers, independent software vendors, global system integrators, global capability centers, and ecosystem partners to co-create AI solutions, according to the firm.

The center seeks to hasten the creation and implementation of safe, scalable enterprise AI systems by bringing together hybrid cloud capabilities, cutting-edge infrastructure technologies, and AI solutions under one roof.

India is at a crucial point in its AI development, and the speed and extent to which businesses can innovate will depend on infrastructure, according to Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India and South Asia.

Additionally, he said that Indian companies are upgrading their mission-critical systems to be AI-ready in a variety of sectors.

According to Patel, this facility demonstrates IBM’s enduring dedication to India and enhances our capacity to create, construct, and expand infrastructure solutions locally, all while fostering global innovation.

According to Vice President of the IBM India Systems Development Lab Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, AI is only as good as the infrastructure that underpins it.

According to Srinivasaraghavan, the center integrates ecosystem collaboration with profound systems engineering skills to assist customers in scaling up AI operations while maintaining performance, security, governance, and dependability throughout mission-critical contexts.

In response to the growing demand for AI, 58% of Indian businesses boosted infrastructure investments last year, according to an IBM Institute for Business Value survey.

With 43 percent of firms creating or planning AI Centers of Excellence, the research predicted a 19% increase in infrastructure expenditures in 2025.

New Zealand went to the championship game with a resounding nine-wicket victory against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, thanks to Finn Allen’s blistering unbroken century off 33 balls, which was among the most explosive innings in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

With ten boundaries and eight massive sixes, Allen tore apart the in-form South African assault as he chased 170, rewriting history by becoming the first player in a knockout match to score the quickest century in the men’s T20 World Cup. In addition to demonstrating his status as one of the most devastating openers in the shortest format, it was also his third century in T20Is and the joint-fastest hundred by a full member batsman.

Tim Seifert supported Allen’s fireworks, which included just four dot balls, by hitting a quick 58 off 33 balls. South Africa’s chances of defending their score of 169/8 were all but crushed by the duo’s 117-run opening stand. New Zealand’s dominant chase also marked their first victory against South Africa in the T20 World Cup and sent a clear warning ahead of Sunday’s championship game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

In yet another painful defeat during a significant ICC knockout game, South Africa lost. They were widely expected to win the championship after going undefeated throughout the competition, but they were outclassed in every aspect. New Zealand entered their second Men’s T20 World Cup final as a result of Allen’s onslaught, which made Marco Jansen’s valiant 55 from earlier in the game seem less sufficient.

In pursuit of 170, Seifert started by hitting Marco Jansen for boundaries with edges off before Kagiso Rabada was dismissed by Quinton de Kock. Allen started his fireworks by guiding Rabada for four before confidently clearing the straight boundary off Jansen. As the couple sped past fifty in four overs, Seifert hit and drove Rabada and Jansen for boundaries.

In the last over of power play, Allen pillaged 22 runs, which included a six and four boundaries, as New Zealand rose to 91/0, which was their best six-over period total in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup. Seifert quickly reached his half-century off only 22 balls by hitting Lungi Ngidi for four, while Allen scored his fifty off 19 deliveries.

Rabada bowled Seifert in the 10th over, bringing the 117-run opening stand to an end. Ravindra joined Allen, who was in his 70s, and made sure the pace never slowed. With bold strikes, Allen continued his relentless attack by sending Bosch, Maharaj, and Jansen out of bounds.

Allen hit his hundred in only 33 balls, and he ended the chase with a thunderous roar after hitting a flat six over mid-off. With one of the most impressive chases in the tournament’s history, New Zealand secured its spot in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, and its teammates in the dugout rejoiced.

The nine-wicket victory in the Men’s T20 World Cup semifinal against South Africa was described by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as a “pretty pleasing” performance in a high-pressure match.

“Obviously, we gave a bit more spin at the beginning, which we didn’t do in Ahmedabad. However, it seems obvious to me that it’s difficult to continue with the bat if you’re consistently taking wickets. Without question, the opening partnership you get through a power play places you in a very advantageous position. Then obviously, Finny (Allen) just carried on and, I mean, 33 balls for 100, it’s not bad at all,” Santner said during the post-match presentation event.

In their nine-wicket defeat in the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final, South Africa captain Aiden Markram attributed his team’s loss to New Zealand’s powerful hitting and praised Finn Allen and Tim Seifert for their game-winning performances.

“It’s hard to tell right now. We’ll think together. The wicket was expected to perform exceptionally well, in my opinion. It looked pretty good to the eye, so maybe just adjust a bit quicker with the bats and go back to 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. Therefore, let us reflect together. In a post-match interview, Markram said, “Clearly unhappy with the outcome, but extremely proud of this team of men who have played some really great cricket throughout this competition, and it’s simply a terrible evening, really.”

Brief Scores:
South Africa 169/8 in 20 overs (Jansen 55 not out, Dewald Brevis 34;  McConchie 2-9, Rachin Ravindra 2-29)
New Zealand 173/1 in 12.5 overs (Finn Allen 100 not out, Tim Seifert 58; Kagiso Rabada 1-28) by nine wickets.

Vice President, C. P. Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah wished the country a happy Holi, emphasizing the festival’s message of reconciliation, harmony, and renewal.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan in an X messaged, “Happy Holi!. This magnificent celebration represents rebirth, hope, the vibrant spirit of our culture, and the victory of good over evil as well as the coming of spring. Reflecting brotherhood, mutual respect, and shared joy, Holi is deeply rooted in our rich traditions and helps to strengthen the fabric of our community.”

“May the colors of Holi infuse every heart with joy and renewed vitality. May the celebration encourage us to foster kindness and collaborate in order to create a more inclusive, peaceful, and Viksit Bharat,” he said.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, wished the populace a joyous spring and gave them Holi greetings on Wednesday. The best thing about Holi, he claimed, is how it energizes the environment.

On this happy occasion of Holi, I extend my warmest wishes to all my fellow countrymen. I hope that this vibrant and energetic festival will bring a springtime of joy to all. The festival of Holi imbues the whole environment with fresh vitality. This is the best aspect of this celebration. The joy colors are distributed all over the place, leaving everyone immersed in delight and ecstasy,” Prime Minister‘s greetings on social media.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted his sincere greetings for the festival of Holi, which is full of happiness, excitement, and fresh energy. May this colorful celebration bring advancement, prosperity, and good fortune into everyone’s life.

Many other leaders also sent their greetings, honoring the spirit of the festival of colors.

“May this holy festival of Holi, which is full of love, harmony, and colors, burn away negativity and hatred and bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into everyone’s lives,” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a tweet. This is my sincere prayer. To all my fellow citizens, a heartfelt hello from the holy holiday of Holi.

“Heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the holy festival of Holi, the festival of colors, excitement, and social harmony,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. May this holy festival of colors infuse everyone’s lives with joy, wealth, tranquility, new vitality, and renewed passion, I pray to Lord Shri Ram.

One of the most anticipated Hindu holidays, Holi, the festival of colors, is observed with great fervor and delight. This colorful celebration, sometimes known as Rangwali Holi, Badi Holi, or Dhulandi, signals the end of winter and the start of spring.

In order to ensure the safe, seamless, on-time, and comfortable transportation of passengers during the ongoing Holi holiday rush throughout the nation, the Indian Railways will continue to maintain heightened operational readiness this week by operating special trains, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.

Over 5. 5 million passengers traveled from stations under the jurisdiction of North Western Railway during this time. It’s worth noting that during the 21 trips of new special trains that ran on March 1 and 2 alone, over 1. 1 million passengers traveled.

Moreover, the operating time of 30 specialized trains, which made 216 journeys, was increased. According to the statement, 141 additional coaches of different types were added to 53 regular trains in March to help meet the increased demand.

New special trains were introduced with a total of 295 trips to locations such as Amritsar, Mysuru, Kakinada, Gomti Nagar, Bhavnagar Terminus, Howrah, Tirupati, Mau, Sabarmati, Danapur, Asansol, Chennai Egmore, Vadodara, and Kolkata, as well as Gorakhpur, Samastipur, and Yog Nagari Rishikesh.

According to the statement, 54 special trains traveled to key locations such as Gorakhpur, Mysuru, Kakinada, Bhavnagar Terminus, Howrah, Tirupati, Danapur, Kolkata, Sabarmati, and Asarva in the week before Holi.

To improve passenger assistance and crowd management in busy stations, civil defense volunteers are also being deployed.

To manage passenger flow, formal crowd control methods were put into place at key locations. To facilitate entry, barricades and holding areas were constructed, and sufficient Railway Protection Force (RPF) troops and ticket inspection workers were deployed to ensure security and order.

Passengers were given assistance by help desks, and electronic display boards and ongoing announcements made sure that train updates were delivered in a timely manner. RailOne App and ATVMs were used in awareness campaigns to encourage ticket sales. Employees who were on duty stayed vigilant for quick action anywhere it was needed.

Continuous monitoring, together with frequent oversight from top officials at the headquarters and divisional levels, ensured that specialized trains operated on schedule. Furthermore, the statement stated that round-the-clock war rooms operated through coordinated inter-departmental actions to ensure efficient management and oversight during the holiday rush.

At key stations, systematic line management, phased boarding, and efficient crowd control methods are being used, while special trains are running throughout several zones to make the trip home easier.

The statement continued that railway staff, such as Rail Karmayogis and RPF squads, keep a close eye on the ground at all times, monitor passenger traffic, help women, the elderly, and disabled travelers, and offer vital assistance throughout the trip.