Friday, February 27

Author: TheStateLine

<div>Yash’s ‘Toxic’ team releases first look of Balaji Manohar as Bheera in film!</div>

Yash’s ‘Toxic’ team releases first look of Balaji Manohar as Bheera in film!

ENTERTAINMENT
Bangalore, Feb 24 (IANS) The makers of director Geethu Mohandas's 'Toxic : A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups', featuring Rocking Star Yash in the lead, on Tuesday officially unveiled the striking first look of actor Balaji Manohar as Bheera in the film. Taking to his social media timelines, Yash shared Balaji Manohar's first look in the film and wrote, "Introducing Balaji Manohar as BHEERA in - Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups. #Toxic In Cinemas Worldwide from 19-03-2026."Director Geethu Mohandas, who took to her Instagram stories to share her experience of directing Balaji Manohar, wrote, "It has been an absolute pleasure working with you. I noticed how you chose to stay on set even after your shots were done, simply to soak in the process of cinema. That kind of dedication is rare. Your enthus...
Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna wedding: Cricket bash lights up pre-wedding festivities

Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna wedding: Cricket bash lights up pre-wedding festivities

ENTERTAINMENT
Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) The pre-wedding festivities of actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are in full-swing. The pre-wedding festivities featured a cricket bash. Vijay took to the Stories section of her Instagram, in which the couple’s entourage can be seen getting a sporty twist with their very own cricket league complete with custom flags, medals and match gear.The picture shows a set of playful items laid out on lush green grass adorned with the branding “VIROSH Premier League”. There’s a mini cricket bat engraved with the couple’s names and date, cheerful pennant flags, a themed match box and even a medal stamped with 26.02.26 the date fans have been anticipating hinting at a friendly cricket tournament set up for guests.This cricket moment adds to a growing collection of p...
T20 WC: Semi-final and final tickets to go live amid venue uncertainty

T20 WC: Semi-final and final tickets to go live amid venue uncertainty

SPORTS
New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) The tickets for the semi-finals and final of the T20 World Cup 2026 will go live at 7 pm IST on Tuesday, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a release.Cricket fans can book seats for the first semi-final on March 4, the second semi-final on March 5 and the highly anticipated final on March 8 through the official booking sites.However, the venue for Semi-final 1 remains subject to a floating arrangement. The match will be held either at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo or at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. While Semi-final 2 is confirmed to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.As per tournament guidelines, if the Pakistan cricket team qualify for the semi-finals, they will play semi-final 1 in Colombo on March 4. If Pakistan fail to qua...
K’taka: Fake call centre busted in Bengaluru, 2 arrested ​

K’taka: Fake call centre busted in Bengaluru, 2 arrested ​

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Bengaluru, Feb 24 (IANS) Cyber Crime Police Station, Central Division, Bengaluru, attached to the Karnataka State Cyber Command, conducted a raid in the city and arrested two persons on charges of running a fake call centre and luring people by claiming they would provide profits through stock market investments.​The accused allegedly cheated people by operating the call centre and inducing them to transfer money online, according to a police statement issued on Tuesday.​The arrested persons are identified as Kumawat Yogesh Amaran, a native of Surat, Gujarat, and Imran, a resident of Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi.​The police have seized 31 mobile phones, 13 laptops, 16 SIM cards, letterhead of Multiware Business Solutions Private Limited, and sheets containing names and mobile numbers of vict...
Poverty and inequality worsen in Pakistan: Report

Poverty and inequality worsen in Pakistan: Report

TOP STORIES, WORLD
New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Even as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Pakistan for stabilising its economy under the ongoing support programme, fresh data shows that poverty and income inequality have sharply worsened, raising serious concerns about the social cost of recent reforms. While key macroeconomic indicators such as fiscal balance and the current account have improved, millions of citizens are facing rising hardship -- highlighting a growing gap between economic stabilisation and everyday reality, according to a report by Dawn.After a long period marked by twin deficits, currency instability and falling foreign exchange reserves, even a small primary surplus is being seen as a sign of improved fiscal discipline.The improvement in the current account balance has eased...
‘Undignified, ill-conceived, malicious’: Delhi L-G on AI Summit protest by Congress

‘Undignified, ill-conceived, malicious’: Delhi L-G on AI Summit protest by Congress

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday told a Congress delegation that the undignified protest at the venue of the AI Summit last week was ill-conceived, malicious, and amounted to jeopardising the national image on international fora.The L-G made these remarks before a delegation of Congress party comprising Ajay Maken, MP and Treasurer, AICC, and Devendra Yadav, President, DPCC, and other leaders, said a statement by a Lok Niwas official.The meeting coincided with the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib, the national president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), by Delhi Police on Tuesday over the shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapan during the AI Impact Summit on February 20.The Congress leaders had sought a meeting with the L-G to present a memorandum to him ...
Lawyers defending Youth Congress protesters criticise Chib’s arrest, call it ‘vendetta’ over AI summit protest

Lawyers defending Youth Congress protesters criticise Chib’s arrest, call it ‘vendetta’ over AI summit protest

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Senior advocates representing Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protesters have strongly criticised the arrest of the outfit's President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with demonstrations during an international AI Summit, calling the police action excessive and contrary to democratic norms.Senior advocate Sanjoy Ghosh argued that protests at major international events are a normal feature of democratic societies. "In every healthy democracy, protests take place at such events. You may not agree with them, but they are part of democracy," he said, adding that arresting opposition youth leaders over the demonstration sends the wrong message globally.He contended that the reaction of authorities, including seeking extended police custody, was disproportionate. Referring to ...
Gujarat: Union Cabinet approves metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur (Lead) ​

Gujarat: Union Cabinet approves metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur (Lead) ​

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Feb 24 (IANS) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC)’s North-South Corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur in Ahmedabad, a move set to strengthen connectivity between the city and the state’s financial hub.​Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister. “This extension will enhance connectivity between Ahmedabad and GIFT City, directly benefiting all sectors,” he said.​The 3.33-kilometre extension will feature three elevated stations and is expected to be completed over the next four years.​The project has been estimated at Rs 1,067.35 crore. GIFT City, established under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, has gained recognition a...
Narmada to get two new bridges to improve connectivity for tribals

Narmada to get two new bridges to improve connectivity for tribals

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Narmada/Gandhinagar, Feb 24 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday approved the construction of two new bridges in Narmada district, a move aimed at improving road connectivity for over 18,000 residents across 11 villages in the tribal region. The project has been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs 302.40 crore.The decision was taken to ensure smoother access between district and taluka headquarters, particularly for villages in the northern and southern parts of the district, including Tilakvada, Vasan, Rengan, Rampura, Mangrol, and Shehrav.According to officials, Rs 123.13 crore has been allocated for the construction of a bridge connecting Rengan Ghat to Rampura Ghat, while Rs 179.27 crore has been sanctioned for a bridge linking Shehrav Ghat to Tilakvada Ghat.These stru...
<div>‘A promise to Lucknow’: LSG unveils new logo ahead of IPL 2026</div>

‘A promise to Lucknow’: LSG unveils new logo ahead of IPL 2026

SPORTS
Lucknow, Feb 24 (IANS) Lucknow Super Giants have unveiled their new logo ahead of the upcoming 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday.The revamped logo features the Garuda, a crown, and an elephant, with the franchise shifting from its earlier blue colour to a bold red as part of its new identity. The design bears resemblance to the logo of the Manchester Super Giants, which also incorporates an elephant alongside its signature winged element.Ahead of the LSG logo change, Manchester Originals were rebranded as Manchester Super Giants by the Sanjiv Goenka Group, which has bought a massive 70 per cent stake in the team. The new logo of The Hundred team, unveiled on January 26, featured a prominent elephant head with a crown in red, white, and gold."Today, Lucknow Super Gia...