Times of India

A 16th-century bronze statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar, taken from a Tamil Nadu temple, is returning to India from the UK. Acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in 1967, its provenance became questionable after a 2019 discovery. Following an investigation and a formal claim by India, the museum has agreed to its repatriation, highlighting a commitment to ethical collections.

The Charlotte Hornets, on a five-game winning streak, visit the Boston Celtics on March 4, 2026. Boston, despite missing Jayson Tatum due to injury, remains a top Eastern Conference team. Charlotte aims to improve its playoff standing with strong recent performances. This matchup promises significant implications for the conference standings as the season progresses.

US President Trump declared the campaign against Iran "about a 15" on a scale of 10, citing success in decimating Iranian leadership and missile capabilities. He reiterated the goal of preventing nuclear weapons, vowing to continue joint operations with Israel despite escalating regional conflict, rising oil prices, and domestic criticism.

Oklahoma City's star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's availability against the New York Knicks on March 4 is the key question. Dealing with an abdominal strain, his potential return could significantly impact the game. Despite injuries, the Thunder boast a strong 48-15 record, while the Knicks are 40-22 and formidable at home.

Amidst escalating Middle East tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the United States has ordered non-emergency staff and their families to leave consulates in Pakistan's Karachi and Lahore. Similar directives were issued for Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Cyprus, with American citizens advised to reconsider travel to these nations due to rising safety risks and disrupted flights.

Transporters across Maharashtra have announced an indefinite strike starting Thursday midnight, protesting the alleged misuse of the e-challan system and arbitrary penalties. Talks with the transport commissioner failed, leading to the escalation of the protest, which has garnered support from private car owners and school bus operators. The strike aims to address issues like harassment by officers and unjustified fines.

Airlines are intensifying evacuation efforts with special flights as Middle East air travel disruptions continue for the fourth day. Indian carriers planned 58 flights on Wednesday, with IndiGo and Air India increasing capacity on long-haul routes. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are handling limited repatriation flights, while services in Bahrain, Doha, and Kuwait remain suspended.

To File Nomination In Patna Today In Shah's Presence

A diplomatic dispute has erupted between the US and Spain after the White House claimed Madrid agreed to cooperate with military operations against Iran. Spain's foreign minister categorically denied this, stating their position on base usage and the conflict remains unchanged. This follows Spain's earlier refusal to allow US forces to use its bases for strikes against Iran.

Iran's missile and drone attacks have significantly decreased, according to US military chief General Dan Caine. Despite this, Washington is expanding its offensive deeper into Iranian territory. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared the US is winning, highlighting a submarine sinking an Iranian warship. The conflict has widened regionally, causing displacement and economic shockwaves.

Eight Class X students at a Nashik government hostel are facing charges under the Pocso Act for allegedly sexually assaulting younger students for months. The abuse came to light when victims informed the hostel superintendent, who then contacted parents.

New Zealand stormed into the T20 World Cup final, crushing South Africa by nine wickets. Opener Finn Allen smashed a record-breaking 33-ball century, leading a dominant chase of 170. Allen's explosive innings, supported by Tim Seifert's fifty, secured a comfortable victory with 7.1 overs to spare.

Finn Allen smashed a record 33-ball century — the fastest in T20 World Cup history — to lead New Zealand to a nine-wicket win over South Africa in the semi-final. Chasing 170, New Zealand finished in just 12.5 overs. Allen’s unbeaten 100 powered them into the final in dominant fashion.

Former England pacer Stuart Broad has issued a stark warning to England regarding Hardik Pandya ahead of their semifinal clash with India. Broad highlighted Pandya's ability to single-handedly change match momentum through his aggressive batting and crucial bowling. He emphasized that England must strategically target Pandya's batting order to neutralize his devastating finishing prowess.

Apple unveils its most budget-friendly laptop, the MacBook Neo, priced Rs 69,900. Featuring the powerful A18 Pro chip, a vibrant 13-inch display, and a sleek aluminum build, it promises impressive performance for everyday tasks and AI workloads. This eco-conscious device, running macOS Tahoe with Apple Intelligence, is available for pre-order now.

An Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, was sunk in the Indian Ocean by a US submarine torpedo, resulting in at least 85 Iranian sailors killed. The Pentagon confirmed the strike as part of its campaign against Iran, with 32 sailors rescued and 148 still missing. Sri Lankan authorities recovered 87 bodies as search operations continue.