Mette-Marit gives a much-anticipated interview, due to be broadcast on Friday.
Norway crown princess to address Epstein links as son's rape trial closes
Mondo Duplantis in India? Bhubaneshwar set to host World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028
There could be a rare opportunity for Indian athletics fans to witness world record holder Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis in action on home soil, with Bhubaneswar set to host the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028.
India will stage the prestigious indoor event for the first time after World Athletics awarded the hosting rights to the country at its Council meeting in Torun, Poland, on Thursday. The decision was taken a day before the start of the 2026 World Indoor Championships in the Polish city.
“India has been awarded the World Indoor Athletics Championships for the year 2028,” World Athletics vice-president Adille Sumariwalla confirmed.
The event, held every two years, features some of the biggest names in global athletics, including pole vault superstar Duplantis, who has dominated the discipline in recent years. His presence in Bhubaneswar in 2028 would offer Indian fans a chance to watch one of the sport’s modern greats up close.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had earlier announced its bid for the 2028 edition, with a World Athletics delegation visiting the indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex in January.
AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo said the development reflects the growing stature of Indian athletics on the global stage.
“The World Athletics 2028 Indoor Championships being awarded to India marks the growing stature of Indian athletics. Track and field in the country has been in sharp focus since Neeraj Chopra’s success at the Olympics and World Championships,” he said.
Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium complex, which houses a state-of-the-art indoor facility, has emerged as a key venue in India’s push to host major international events.
India has also submitted bids for several global competitions, including the 2028 World U20 Championships and the 2031 World Athletics Championships, as part of its larger ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.
WHO IS MONDO DUPLANTIS?
Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis is perhaps the greatest track and field athlete of all time. A pole vaulter, Duplantis has broken the world record 15 times in a remarkable display of dominance since 2020. The Swedish star cleared 6.31 metres at the Mondo Classic indoor meet in Uppsala, Sweden, to break the world record for the 15th time in his career, improving his own mark by one centimetre.
Unlike most track and field disciplines, pole vault has a single world record covering both indoor and outdoor performances. And it was six years ago in an indoor meet in Poland, where Duplantis broke the pole vault record for the first time.
Over a six-year world record spree, he also won two Olympic gold medals, including a world record at the 2024 Paris Games, claimed a Laureus World Sports Award, and put together a 38-meet winning streak dating back to 2023.
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Rajpal Yadav opts for legal battle, declines settlement in cheque bounce case
Actor Rajpal Yadav remained in the news throughout February in connection with a 2012 cheque bounce case. While his interim bail has been extended, his lawyer has shared a major update on the case. It has been revealed that the actor is preparing to fight the case legally, choosing to argue the matter in court instead of going for a settlement.
Rajpal Yadav’s lawyer reveals actor wishes to argue
Following the proceedings, his lawyer, S.K. Sharma, revealed that the actor has decided against settling the dispute and will instead argue the case legally. According to the counsel, when the court asked Rajpal whether he wished to resolve the matter through a settlement, he clearly declined.
“Court ne Rajpal ji se pucha ke aapne samay samay pe kaha hai ke aap paise dena chahte ho, toh aap settle kar rahe ho ya nahi? To Rajpal ji ne kaha ke ab settle nahi karna chahte, argument karne hai. Aur phir uski application de di. Ab uski argument hui. Court ne April 1 ki date di hai (Rajpal ji responded that he no longer wishes to settle and wants to argue the case. Following this, an application was submitted. The court has now given the next date of hearing as April 1),” said the lawyer to ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On Actor Rajpal Yadav’s Case, Counsel, Complainant against Actor Rajpal Yadav, S K Sharma says, “The court asked Rajpal Yadav if he wants to complete the settlement or not. Rajpal Yadav said that he does not want to settle and wants to argue on his application. 1… pic.twitter.com/8G8U7umV4M
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2026
About the case
Back in 2010, Rajpal Yadav reportedly borrowed Rs 5 crore from Delhi-based Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed at the box office, and as a result, the loan remained unpaid. The dispute took an ugly turn after several cheques were bounced, and he was accused of non-payment of dues.
In February, he was sent to Tihar Jail as he failed to abide by the deadline given by the court to pay a partial amount. However, he was out on interim bail till March 18. As per the latest verdict, his bail has been extended till April 1 after the court noted that he has paid a substantial amount.
Rajpal Yadav upcoming movies
Despite the ongoing legal issues, Rajpal Yadav has a packed slate of projects. He is doing his first film this year with Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla. It will be followed by Welcome To The Jungle, which features 27 actors, and then there is Haiwaan, where he plays a small but impactful role. He also has two web series in his kitty.
Govt secures extra LNG via spot buying to make fertilisers
NEW DELHI: Amid the global rush to secure energy supplies, Indian agencies have seen the cost of natural gas (LNG) nearly double from around $10-12 a unit before the West Asian conflict to $19-20 per metric million Btu (MMBtu) when they made purchases in the spot market this week.The spike comes in the wake of critical suppliers such as the massive Ras Laffan facility in Qatar being targeted by Iran. QatarEnergy had last week shut down supplies from its facility, adding to the pressure after the Strait of Hormuz was shut down by Iran.While govt responded by reprioritising gas availability, it also began spot purchases to ensure availability for critical industries such as fertiliser, where supply was cut to 70% of the average. So far, it has purchased 7.3 metric standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD), mainly for urea, against an industry demand for 8.6 MMSCMD of additional gas. While some of the units are under maintenance in the lean season, the purchases have been advanced to meet this month’s demand. This will help produce additional 12,500-13,000 tonnes of urea daily till month end, said officials. Against an average production of 25 lakh tonnes, govt estimates production at around 17 lakh tonnes.“Because of war, there’s a spike in spot prices of LNG. Earlier, when spot buying was done for the fertiliser sector, the price was less than that of long-term contracts,” said an official. Industry insiders and officials said more than price, govt is now concerned about upping availability for the kharif season and building stock for the rabi sowing season.
Riyan Parag trusts Yashasvi Jaiswal with pressure, stresses less media around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘Let him play’
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has advised young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to steer clear of press conferences for now, so that outside noise and pressure don’t creep in. The teenage sensation had announced himself in style last IPL with a record-breaking 35-ball century on debut. He carried that momentum into Under-19 cricket as well, where he continued to impress and played a key role in India’s World Cup triumph, finishing as the Player of the Tournament.
Parag, who is taking over the captaincy charge from Sanju Samson, made his stance clear when asked about handling young talent, stressed the need to protect Sooryavanshi from unnecessary attention and allow him to grow at his own pace.
“As a captain my message to him would be to not do a lot of press conferences or follow a lot of media,” Parag told reporters here during a pre-season press conference.
“Let him just enjoy, which I will request you (media) as well. Do not reach out to his manager or anyone; just let him be. He’s a 15-16 (14) year-old kid, let him play cricket. He’s playing really well and he’s going to make the country proud,” he added.
Also Read – CSK rocked by massive blow as Nathan Ellis ruled out of IPL 2026, frantic hunt for replacement begins
Sooryavanshi lit up the final with a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls, powering India to a record sixth U-19 World Cup title. The innings underlined his temperament as much as his talent, showing he can handle pressure on the biggest stage and deliver when it matters most.
“Vaibhav Sooyavanshi scoring runs everywhere”
Continuing his backing for the young opener, Parag acknowledged the pressure around Sooryavanshi and backed Yashasvi Jaiswal to carry the bulk of it, while urging the youngster to stay fearless and trust his natural game:
“Of course he will have some pressure coming his way but I am going to tell him that whatever pressure is going to be there, Jaiswal will handle it as he is good enough to handle that role,” Parag said.
“My only message for Vaibhav is to go out and play. If the first ball is meant to be hit, hit it. There’s no issue in that.”
“I don’t think any young player has done what he has over the last one year. He is scoring runs everywhere,” Parag added.
Cocktail 2 Leaked Teaser: Rashmika Mandanna, Kriti Sanon, Shahid Kapoor look hot, but song Jab Talak fails to impress
A day before Dhurandhar The Revenge officially released, many fans rushed to theatres to catch the paid preview. Along with this premiere, makers of Cocktail 2 unveiled the first teaser of Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon’s upcoming film on the big screen. The Homi Adajania directorial is a spiritual sequel to Deepika Padukone, Diana Penty and Saif Ali Khan’s cult classic rom com Cocktail (2012). The expectations of audiences were set quite high, thanks to the love and success that the original film received on release. But did Kriti, Rashmika and Shahid live up to the expectations? Here’s what netizens have to say, after watching the leaked teaser of Cocktail 2.
The teaser of Cocktail 2 is actually a glimpse of the film’s song Jab Talak, where we are introduced to Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna as they dance away at what looks like a beach party. At first glance, the track might remind you of Deepika Padukone, Diana Penty and Saif Ali Khan’s iconic Tumhi Ho Bandhu. Gushing over the new teaser, one fan stated: “Bollywood vibe that I crave for 😭,” whereas another wrote: “Bro this is so fresh 🔥🔥🔥.” Many netizens even pointed out how Kriti and Rashmika look ‘hot’ in their new avatars for Cocktail 2, whereas Shahid’s dance moves are smooth as butter. However, the song itself has failed to impress.
After catching the leaked teaser of Cocktail 2, a social media user claimed, “Music sucks. Hopefully there are better songs in the movie,” whereas another wrote, “Kya bakwas gana tha yaar….kuch toh dhang kaa banaya hota. Dance toh kadak he no doubt but song ke esi ki tesi.” A comment read, “Ye koi Summer drink ki advertisement lg rhi hai,” whereas another fan opined, “The teaser is best watched in mute.”
Talking about Cocktail 2 in a chat with Zoom last year, Kriti had shared, “I think I’m looking so different from what I have ever looked, which I’m very excited about and it’s also very fresh. When you watch Cocktail 1 also, something about it still feels today. It doesn’t make you feel like it’s what, 12 years old or something, you know? And you still feel like it’s today’s film. And I think that’s how even this film is. It’s very refreshing, the visuals are stunning, it’s got a take on modern equations and relationships. Very relevant to what it speaks about. And I’ve had a blast shooting with Shahid and Rashmika, and of course Homi is mad, so his craziness kind of keeps us all going for a fun ride.”
Cocktail 2 is set to arrive in theatres on June 19. How excited are you?
‘Gukesh won title by chance’: Former World Chess Champion Karpov sparks controversy | Chess News
India’s D Gukesh (FIDE/Eng Chin An via PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: India’s young chess star D Gukesh has come under criticism from former world champion Anatoly Karpov, who claimed his title win was more down to luck than dominance. Gukesh had defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest world champion, but some voices, especially from Russia, have questioned the quality of that victory.
Criticism from former champions
“First of all, the Indian chess player became [champion] by chance, because he wasn’t supposed to win the match against the Chinese player [Ding Liren]. The Chinese player lost a game there that he shouldn’t have lost. Had he not, the Chinese player would have remained the world champion,” Karpov told a Russian outlet KP.RU. This isn’t the first time such criticism has surfaced. Former champion Vladimir Kramnik had earlier reacted strongly, writing, “No comment. Sad. End of chess as we know it.” He also criticised the quality of play during the match, saying, “Frankly, I am very disappointed by today’s game (Game 6). Even Game 5 was not extremely high level, but today it was really — for a professional — it was really weak play from both players. It’s a very disappointing level.”He added, “It’s such a strange game. Both players were making mistake after mistake, strategical mistakes. As if they don’t get the sense of the position. Maybe I’m old-school but it’s pretty basic! Of course, they’re both great players and great calculators. They calculate fantastically.“But I expect something a bit more from a world championship match, like ideas! Human play, human concepts! If I want to enjoy chess as just a game of calculation, I would rather watch a world championship of chess engines!”
Ding’s response
Amid the criticism of Gukesh, Ding himself has taken a calm approach after losing the title to Gukesh. “I quite enjoy my current situation. What I mean is, being a player with an inactive rating, who seldom participates in elite invitationals. I’m enjoying this rare moment of leisure,” he recently said in an interview.He added, “I keep up playing the occasional game online: it doesn’t require arduous pre-game preparation, just undivided concentration in the moment. The process itself is rewarding.”
Dhruv Rathee slams Dhurandhar 2: Dhar ‘went blatant this time’
Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has opened to packed theatres and strong footfall. While many viewers have praised the film’s scale, performances, and storytelling, a section of the audience feels it doesn’t match up to the first installment. Amid the buzz, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has once again stirred controversy, this time targeting Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge and its director Aditya Dhar.
Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has opened to packed theatres and strong footfall. While many viewers have praised the film’s scale, performances, and storytelling, a section of the audience feels it doesn’t match up to the first installment. Amid the buzz, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has once again stirred controversy, this time targeting Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge and its director Aditya Dhar.Taking to X, Rathee wrote, “I called Aditya Dhar a BJP propagandist 3 months ago. Now everyone will see it. It was subtle in the previous film, but he went so blatant this time in overconfidence. Remember how I said, well-made propaganda is more dangerous? Ab toh well-made bhi nahi raha. Lol.”His remarks quickly triggered reactions online, with social media divided between those backing his criticism and others dismissing it.
Not his first criticism of the franchise
This isn’t the first time Dhruv Rathee has taken aim at the franchise. When Dhurandhar released earlier, he had shared a detailed video, arguing that “well-made propaganda is more dangerous,” citing the film’s use of real-life references and events.He had also criticised the trailer back then, calling out its violent imagery and alleging that it glorified gore.
Historic opening at the box office
Despite the mixed word of mouth, the Ranveer Singh-led film has recorded a historic start. As per Sacnilk, it collected Rs. 96.78 crore net on its first day across 27,574 screenings.Including Rs. 43 crore from paid previews, the film’s total domestic net stands at Rs. 139.78 crore, with gross collections reaching Rs. 167.74 crore within just 24 hours. With this, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has surpassed opening day figures of major blockbusters like Jawan, Pathaan, and Animal, registering the biggest opening for a Bollywood film to date.
Smoke rises after Iranian missile attack on Israel oil refinery in Haifa | Oil and Gas
An Iranian missile struck an oil refinery in the Israel city of Haifa. The plant produces half of Israel’s domestic fuel supplies. Power was briefly disrupted before being restored, with no casualties reported. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted refineries and military sites in the attack.
Published On 19 Mar 2026
Anil Kumble expects Abhishek Sharma to show greater maturity this season
The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to kick off from March 28. So far, the schedule of only first 20 matches has been released due to state elections.
Ahead of the cash-rich league, former Team India cricketer Anil Kumble feels that Sunrisers Hyderabad`s Abhishek Sharma needs to be normal while batting and play a certain number of balls.
“I would relate him to someone like Virender Sehwag, because he would look to smash every ball. When he moved from Test cricket to one-day cricket and then to T20 cricket, he realised that he had to pace his innings slightly differently. But Sehwag would still go at a 140-150 strike-rate. So, that`s something Abhishek Sharma needs to start thinking about, saying, `I`ve been scoring at 200 strike-rate, expectations are on me, should I now go at a strike rate of 300?` No, you just have to be normal. You have to play a number of balls,” he said on JioStar.
He then cited the example of Sanju Samson by saying that he bats deeper and makes his knock count by scoring 85 to 90 runs. The former cricketer then added that SRH will expect the same maturity from the left-handed batsman.
“If Abhishek Sharma bats 20 balls in an innings, we know he will be close to that 50 mark. We saw that with Sanju Samson, not getting out in the 40s or 50s, but making it count by going deeper, getting to that 85-90 mark. That`s what you need in the T20 format. Maybe that`s the kind of maturity you will see in Abhishek this season, which SRH will be hoping for,” said Kumble.
Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers recollected Abhishek`s run in the previous edition of the league, but also added that he needs to shoulder the responsibility.
“He`s 25, not 20 anymore. So, this is definitely the phase where he has to start taking more responsibility. There will be media pressure and people asking him to become more consistent. We know he was a little inconsistent during the T20 World Cup, which was disappointing. He had a good finish in the final, but otherwise, it was a quiet tournament for him. He was erratic at times. He had an unbelievable IPL 2025, scoring close to a 200 strike-rate and averaging in the 30s, which is good for an opening batter scoring over 400 runs in the tournament, but it could have been better,” he said.
AB de Villiers` view on being the number one T20I batsman
AB de Villiers concluded by explaining the importance of being a number one batsman in the format internationally, and stated that the top ranking comes with the expectation.
“Once again, that word consistency comes to mind. It`s a personal challenge he will have to overcome mentally. Being the number one international T20I batter in the world comes with expectation, and that is the most dangerous word in cricket, when you feel like the whole world is closing in on you, and it`s up to him to fight those mental battles throughout this coming season,” he signed off.
(With PTI Inputs)
