Month: February 2026

Saudi Arabia on Saturday denounced in the strongest terms “Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan” and extended its support for the brotherly countries.

Iran earlier launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain in apparent retaliation to Israel’s and US’ attack on it.

Qatari defence forces also said they “successfully intercepted and repelled a number of attacks that targeted the country’s territory.

Following Iran’s action, Saudi Arabia warned of grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake,” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to condemn these blatant attacks and to take all firm measures necessary to confront Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region,” the statement said.

According to the Iranian embassy in India, a US military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes.”

The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned what is said “brutal aggression of the Zionist Regime” claiming that their attacks are a “response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran”.

Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej Times.

Israel and the United States earlier today initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran.

The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region.

In a blow to Tehran’s leadership, Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel’s military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the ruling regime.

“The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran – the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis – to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran,” he said.

US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face “certain death.” (ANI)

Passengers were left stranded at Abu Dhabi airport after flight operations were disrupted following joint military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran.

Speaking to ANI, Sanjeev Mehta, an Indian passenger stranded at the airport, described scenes of panic and uncertainty. “I came to Abu Dhabi to attend a friend’s party over the weekend, and we are stuck here. Right now we are at the airport. Many alarms went off at the airport, and as the news suggests, some missiles have landed. Missile attacks have also taken place,” he said.

Mehta added that security presence had intensified at the airport.

“The national guards here have kind of taken over the airport, and there is a bit of a commotion inside. The local people who had come here are slowly leaving, but the guards are advising us to stay inside the airport for now. All the flights are suspended here, and no flights are going to any country anywhere,” he said.

Another stranded traveller, Will Varadhan from Chicago, said he was in transit while returning to the United States. “I’ve been visiting India for the last three weeks. I am flying back from Chennai to Chicago via Abu Dhabi. This morning, when I left Chennai at 10 am, there was no issue. We took off and flew here, and now I’m kind of stuck,” he told ANI.

Varadhan said the situation remains unclear. “I understand there is bombing going on, and our flight status is unknown at this point. Authorities are saying it’s still on time or to be determined. But the status is really unknown. My flight is supposed to go at midnight tonight, so there are still a few more hours. I hope things can start functioning by the end of the day, but it is completely unknown,” he added.

The crisis follows a sharp escalation in West Asia after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. The operation triggered retaliatory threats and airspace closures in several countries, including Iran and Iraq, disrupting major international air corridors.

Several global airlines have suspended or rerouted services to ensure passenger safety. (ANI)

While unequivocally condemning the recent attacks by Iran in Israel and across West Asia, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that the country has strengthened its “active forces”, including British planes currently in the sky as part of its defensive operations.

“I condemn Iran’s attacks on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict, we extend our support and solidarity to them. As part of our commitment to the security of our allies in the middle east, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently strengthen. Our forces are active, and British planes are in the sky as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to our protect our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before in line with international law,” PM Starmer said in an official statement.

Calling the strikes by Iran as “indiscriminate”, PM Starmer expressed concern over the loss of innocent civilian lives in the region.

“Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran. Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region. I know the British people, and communities across our country will be deeply concerned about what this means for the security and stability and the fate of innocent people across the region, which for many of us include friends and family,” he said.

While UK played no role in the US-Israel joint strikes on the Islamic republic, he said that the “utterly abhorrent” regime has continuously sought to destabilise the region, including murdering thousands of its own people, and also facilitated “over 20 potentially lethal” attacks on British soil.

“The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, but we have long been clear, the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of its own people, and sought to destabilise the region. The Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the jewish community. Over the last year alone they have backed over 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil. So it is clear that they must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, that remains the primary aim of UK and our allies, including the US,” he said.

The security of British personnel in Iran has been stepped up to the highest level, and Starmer is set to talk with E 3 leaders and other regional leaders regarding the situation.

“We have stepped up protections for British spaces and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out the UK nationals in the region. I will be speaking with the leaders today from the E 3 and across the region. It is vital that we prevent further escalation and return to diplomatic process,” he said.

UK seeks peace and security in the region, and Iran could end this now, Starmer said.

“We want to seek peace and security, and the protection of civilian life. Iran could end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and seize the appalling violence and repression against its own people who deserve the right to determine its own future in line with our long standing vision. This is the route to de-escalation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli air force has begun an air parade and is launching attacks on Iranian missile launchers which are a “threat to the state of Israel”.

In recent hours, the Israeli air force has also intercepted several unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel. Alerts are being activated across the country in accordance with Home Front Command policy, and the Air Defense Array is continuously identifying and intercepting threats.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also expressed its rejection and condemnation in the strongest terms of the blatant and cowardly Iranian attacks that targeted the Riyadh Region and the Eastern Province, which was successfully intercepted, said the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (ANI)

Actor-comedian Rajpal Yadav held a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday to address the ongoing Rs 9 crore loan case and share his side of the story.Rajpal arrived at the press meet along with his lawyer, Bhaskar Upadhyay. During the interaction, the actor spoke openly about his legal battle, upcoming work plans, and the lessons he has learned over the past decade.

During his media interaction, the ‘Bhul Bhulaiyaa’ actor revealed that he has projects lined up for the next seven years, with a total worth exceeding Rs 1000 crore. He also mentioned that he is committed to 10 films over the coming period.

Speaking about the scale of his upcoming work and branding projects, the actor said, “Over the next 7 years, I have branding projects valued at Rs 1200 crore. I’ve secured 4 agreements, which don’t include films. Some of these projects are worth Rs 200 crore, while others go up to Rs 2000 crore. The income is a mix of fees and equity in the projects. I also have 10 films lined up.”

Rajpal also spoke about the support he received during his time in jail. The actor said people from all walks of life, including fans and well-wishers, came forward to help him. Talking about the support and the “sympathy” he received, he said, “In the past 20 days, I’ve received everything from kids’ piggy banks to Rs 1 crore through social media, and much more. I’ll be issuing a statement to thank them, and there are 4-5 people I want to specifically mention. I also want to express my gratitude to those who wish to remain anonymous.”

“I want to thank them for their sympathy, but I also want to ask them to send their bank details. I just need time from them, but I will pay them all back with respect. However, I can’t repay the debt of so many kids across the nation who stood with me,” he added.

For those unaware, the Delhi High Court recently granted an interim suspension of Yadav’s sentence until March 18 in the cheque bounce case. The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma directed the actor to furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, along with one surety of the same amount. The court noted that Rs 1.5 crore has been deposited in the respondent’s bank account while considering the relief. (ANI)

Israeli press reported that a plume of smoke and fire has been seen outside hotel on Dubai’s Palm. Viral videos circulating on social media showed smoke and flames outside the Fairmont, one of the popular hotels frequented by Westerners in Dubai.

Earlier, UAE’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that the UAE was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage.

The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an asian nationality. The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock.

The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE’s categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability.

The Ministry further stated that the targeting represents a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.

The Ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country’s security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also condemned the Iranian aggression and the violation of the sovereignty of each of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Saudi Arabia affirmed its full solidarity and standing by the side of the sister states, and placing all its capabilities at their disposal to support them in all measures they take, and warning of the grave consequences of the continued violation of the sovereignty of states and the principles of international law.

Meanwhile, Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that the US and Israel’s attack against his country is “unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate.Araghchi justified Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an “act of self-defence”, which he said is “absolutely legal and legitimate,” Reuters reported.

“This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate,” Araghchi said, according to Reuters. (ANI)

On Friday, the makers of ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ unveiled the poster of the first single of the film.

Titled ‘Tabaahi’, the song will be out on March 2. Featuring Yash and Kiara i in a windswept seaside embrace, the visual speaks of fire, desire and raw emotion.

Check out here.

Sharing the poster, Kiara on Instagram wrote, ” A Toxic World, A Safe Embrace. #Tabaahi

Song out on 2nd March. #ToxicTheMovie.”

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, ‘Toxic’ also stars Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria in pivotal roles. The film will hit the theatres on 19 March 2026.

The first glimpse of the film was unveiled in January earlier this year. The two-minute, fifty-two-second clip offered a striking glimpse into Yash’s intense and enigmatic character as Raya.

Set against the backdrop of a cemetery, the teaser opened with a blaze of action, with gunfire cutting through the silence, signaling the arrival of Yash as the composed, fearless, and unflinching Raya with a Tommy gun.

The film stars Yash alongside Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Kiara Advani, and Nayanthara in key roles. Kiara plays Nadia, a character shown as calm but carrying deep emotions. Huma Qureshi appears as Elizabeth, a sharp and dangerous presence. Nayanthara is seen as Ganga, a role that changes the balance of power in the story.

Tara Sutaria plays Rebecca, a character shown as charming yet hard to read, while Rukmini Vasanth essays Mellisa, a figure with quiet control. The final reveal introduced Yash as Raya, with the line “Daddy’s home.” (ANI)

Looking back on a special moment, actor Vijay Deverakonda fondly reflected on when he and Rashmika Mandanna met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his blessings and extend an invitation.

Vijay and Rashmika, who recently got married in Udaipur, visited PM Modi ahead of their wedding celebrations.

A few days back, we met the Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi garu and took his blessings, spent a great time talking about our history, architecture, stories and and he wrote my parents the sweetest letter ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/l2oXdkmVEn

— Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) February 28, 2026

Taking to his X handle, Vijay shared having spent a great time and taking PM Modi’s blessings ahead of a new beginning. He also revealed that the Prime Minister followed up with a heartfelt letter addressed to his parents, thanking them for the wedding invitation and offering his blessings to Vijay and Rashmika.

“A few days back, we met the Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi garu and took his blessings, spent a great time talking about our history, architecture, stories and and he wrote my parents the sweetest letter,” the actor wrote.

Along with pictures from the meeting, where Vijay and Rashmika could be seen engaging in a warm exchange with PM Modi, the actor also shared a picture of the letter to his parents.

“It is a pleasure to be invited by you to the wedding of Vijay and Rashmika to be held on 26 February 2026. Heartiest congratulations and greetings to the Deverakonda and Mandanna families on this truly joyous and auspicious occasion. It marks the beginning of a new, beautiful chapter in the lives of Vijay and Rashmika. With the spirit of ‘Sakha Saptpada bhav’, meaning having taken seven steps together, the couple become friends for life. Neither Vijay, nor Rashmika is new to scripts in their films. But this divinely seripted chapter of their real lives, filled with love and affection, will surely outshine the magic they have created on the silver screen. May the days, months and years to come be filled with shared dreams and their fulfilment. With thoughtfulness and love, may they share responsibilities, embrace each other’s imperfections, learn from each other’s strengths and journey through life as true partners. My blessings and best wishes to the couple and the families on the momentous occasion,” the letter read.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda got married on Thursday in Udaipur in the presence of their close friends and family members. The couple shared dreamy pictures from the ceremony, along with heartfelt notes for each other.

Congratulatory messages have also poured in from their fans, friends, and colleagues from the industry. (ANI)

An Air India Express flight bound for Dubai was denied landing permission amid the ongoing war situation in the Middle East region.

The aircraft, which departed at around 12:45 pm today, with 145 passengers on board, turned back mid-journey following the restriction.

According to the airport director, the flight is currently en route to Tiruchirappalli International Airport and is expected to land shortly.

Further details awaited. (ANI)

The scheduled screening of the film ‘The Kerala Story 2’ in Kannur was cancelled on Saturday following a protest by activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

The protest saw the tearing and burning of movie posters outside theatres, leading to clashes and forcing organisers to refund ticket holders.

The demonstration began when DYFI activists, led by DYFI Thissur District Committee Secretary K S Russal Raj, marched to the Thrissur Fun Movies theatre, pouring charcoal on posters of ‘The Kerala Story 2’ in a symbolic act of protest.

The march was part of a wider campaign by the organisation against the film, which follows the lives of three young women who, according to the movie, fall into deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.

As a result of the protest, the screening was abandoned due to a lack of audience, with theatre management initiating refunds and confirming no live screenings would take place inside the mall. Similar cancellations have also been reported at Cinepolis in Mall of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, where rescheduled screenings were halted in the wake of protests.

The Kerala High Court had lifted an earlier stay on the release of ‘The Kerala Story 2’ on Friday, allowing cinemas to resume screenings.

The stay, initially issued by Single Bench Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas for 15 days, was revoked by a Division Bench comprising Justices S.A. Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan. The bench also directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to re-evaluate the film following claims that it contained content spreading hate.

Ever since the trailer for the sequel was released, the film has been drawing strong reactions from all corners, and several social media users have criticised it as “propaganda,” while the filmmakers maintain that it is based on researched real-life incidents.

Earlier, reports claimed that the teaser of the film was removed after court intervention. However, the makers denied these claims. (ANI)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team after their triumph in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 finals, describing it as a remarkable example of grit and perseverance.

The Paras Dogra-led Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have scripted a fairytale ending to their 67-year wait, defeating the powerhouse Karnataka. Playing their first-ever Ranji final, Jammu and Kashmir were crowned champions by virtue of their massive 291-run first-innings lead, a gap that proved insurmountable for the eight-time champions, Karnataka, led by Devdutt Padikkal.

Taking to his X account, Shah praised not just the players but the entire ecosystem that worked behind the scenes.

“Congratulations to the Jammu & Kashmir team in India for scripting a remarkable story of grit and perseverance. While the players are fully deserving of the adulation they receive, one must also remember the contribution of the coaching staff, management and administrators from J&K who have toiled behind the scenes to fashion this landmark achievement. I am sure that this win will ignite belief in the hearts of the current generation from the region and drive the next one to pick up a bat or ball. Our sport is rich with such stories of inspiration from around the world, and I hope this one also receives its fair share of admiration,” he wrote.

J&K opted to bat first and piled on a mammoth 584, led by Shubham Pundir’s century (121). Auqib Nabi’s devastating pace attack (5-wicket haul) then bundled out Karnataka for 293, handing J&K a crucial first-innings lead.

Mayank Agarwal’s fighting 160 for Karnataka wasn’t enough, and J&K extended their lead to 291. Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra slammed hundreds in J&K’s second innings, pushing the lead to 633. The match ended in a draw on Day 5, but J&K’s first-innings lead secured them the win. (ANI)