Team India`s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has completed five years in international cricket. Speaking about the completion of five years, the Indian skipper, who led the “Men in Blue” to their third T20 World Cup title, said, “Wearing the India jersey is a feeling I can still never fully put into words”.
“5 years ago, a dream turned into reality. Wearing the India jersey is a feeling I can still never fully put into words. Here`s to many more memories that we`re going to create, for team India,” he wrote on his official social media handle.
5 years ago, a dream turned into reality. Wearing the India jersey is a feeling I can still never fully put into words 🇮🇳
The right-handed batsman made his debut in international cricket on March 14, 2021, at the age of 30 years and 181 days. It was a bilateral T20I match against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. At the same venue, Suryakumar led his team to the third-shortest format world title.
With this, India became the first team to win three T20 World Cup titles. The “Men in Blue” also became the first team to defend their title on home soil.
The Mumbai-born cricketer did not bat in the debut match, but in the fourth T20I match against the “Three Lions”, the right-handed batsman smashed Jofra Archer for a maximum, facing his first delivery in international cricket.
The journey has been a remarkable one for the Indian skipper after that. In the last five years, he has made 3272 T20I runs in 113 matches with the help of four centuries and 25 half-centuries. He is the third in the list of the leading run-scorers for India in the shortest format, only after Rohit Sharma (4231) and Virat Kohli (4188).
He made his ODI debut on July 18, 2021, against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and his Test debut against Australia in Nagpur in 2023, making him the first Indian to debut in all three formats after turning 30.
The 35-year-old was also named the ICC Men`s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2022 just a year after making his international debut.
The Union Home Ministry on Saturday revoked the detention of Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is demanding greater autonomy and climate protection within the Indian Constitution, under the National Security Act (NSA), citing the need to facilitate dialogue in the region.
Protesters hold posters and candles during a protest against the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, in New Delhi. He was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after the ongoing protests in Ladakh turned violent in Leh city. (PTI file photo)
The government had consistently said that he “instigated” the unrest. However, on Saturday it said there was a need to release him to ensure peace in Ladakh and end the “atmosphere of bandh and protests”.
Sajjad Kargili, leader of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) Which cooperates with Leh Apex Body (LAB) for Ladakh demandsresponded: “The revocation of the NSA against Mr. Sonam Wangchuk is a welcome step. However, our struggle for our legitimate rights continues.”
They demanded that activists Delden Namgyal and Smanla Dorje also be released and that “all charges against those detained on September 24 be unconditionally dropped”. his post on x.
What did the government say on the decision of release?
In a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau, the Home Ministry acknowledged that his continued detention is having a cascading effect on the civil society of Ladakh.
“The prevailing atmosphere of bandh and protests is detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely impacted various sections of the community including students, job seekers, businesses, tour operators and tourists and the overall economy.” The ministry said.
The government said it was “committed to promoting an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders”.
The statement said Wangchuk has “already served almost half of the period of detention” under the Act – the NSA allows detention of up to 12 months – and reaffirmed its commitment to resolving Ladakh’s concerns “through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the High Powered Committee mechanism as well as other appropriate platforms.”
what is nsa
The National Security Act, 1980, is a preventive detention law that empowers the central and state governments to detain a person without trial if authorities believe the person may act in a manner “prejudicial to the defense of India, India’s relations with foreign powers or the security of India”.
Unlike normal arrest, which requires criminal charges and trial, the NSA allows detention based solely on anticipated threat. This makes it one of the most comprehensive provisions in Indian law. The maximum period of detention is 12 months, although it can be revoked earlier, as has now happened in Wangchuk’s case.
What argument did the government give in the court on Wangchuk?
The government’s detention of Wangchuk was vigorously defended before the Supreme Court by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj during the several-month hearing.
The Center alleged that Wangchuk was directly responsible for the violence that broke out in Leh on September 24, 2025, in which, according to ASG Nataraj, four people were killed and 161 were injured.
The Center and Ladakh Union Territory administration told the court that Wangchuk was detained for inciting people in the sensitive border area, where regional sensitivities were involved.
The Center also alleged that Wangchuk tried to “instigate Gen Z” for the protests seen in Nepal and Bangladesh, referring to people above 20 years of age. It noted that Wangchuk had referred to an “Arab Spring-like” movement. SG Mehta had told the court that “there is a clear difference between Wangchuk’s speech and Gandhian principles – it is chalk and cheese”.
The government had also recently assured the court that there was nothing medically worrisome about Wangchuk’s condition. He was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur for testing in January.
What his wife Geetanjali said: ‘Don’t be afraid of peace’
Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Geetanjali Angmo, filed a habeas corpus petition under Article 32 of the Constitution before the Supreme Court, calling the detention illegal and unconstitutional.
The petition argued that the detention order was based on “old FIRs, vague allegations and speculation” and had no connection with the stated grounds of detention.
Angmo also alleged a “witch-hunt”, pointing out that in the period surrounding his arrest, the government had canceled the 40-year lease of his Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, withdrawn his NGO’s funding license, launched a CBI investigation and issued income tax summons.
Angmo said Wangchuk had publicly condemned the violence through social media on September 24, 2025, describing it as the saddest day of his life. He had also said that the violence would end Ladakh’s five-year peaceful “tapasya” (struggle) for statehood and protection of the Sixth Schedule.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, arguing on behalf of Angmo, alleged that the police had relied on “borrowed, hand-picked videos” to mislead the detaining authority. He pointed out the discrepancies between the alleged “provocative” statements quoted in the detention order and the translated speeches placed before the court by the Centre.
The Supreme Court bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and PB Varale had to watch videos of Wangchuk’s speeches during the Holi holidays and Schedule to reserve orders on March 17th. The Centre’s decision came three days before that.
In a recent post, Geetanjali Angmo wrote that “Fear is not peace”. He said the government lawyer Claiming in the Supreme Court that Ladakh is peaceful after Wangchuk’s custody. “This couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said, dubbing it a “logical fallacy” because correlation does not require causation.
“Secondly, it was not peace that followed – it was fear that was created: curfew and internet blackout were imposed for weeks after September 24, over 100 youths were kept in jail for months (some are still inside), 4 youths were brutally shot dead by CRPF under government orders, social media posts to this day attract police summons and hours of interrogation,” she said.
“The eerie silence of the graveyard is no match for the sacred peace of the temple for which Ladakh was known!” Read his ex-post.
What are the demands at the center of Ladakh movement?
Even before the mostly youth-led protests in Leh last September turned violent, the Leh Apex Body, an independent organization leading the protests, had warned that public patience was wearing thin.
Their demands are not just about statehood, but mostly focus on preserving the unique character of the tribal area. Buddhist and Muslim bodies – LAB and KDA – representing the two major communities in Ladakh, have been together in this movement.
On September 10, 2025, a 35-day hunger strike was launched under the leadership of LAB.
Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing strike was under its umbrella, although she later described the violence as meaningless and ended her strike in disgust.
LAB and KDA are in talks with the Home Ministry over their demands, for which they have been agitating for the last four years, when the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories, one being Jammu and Kashmir and the other being Ladakh.
Ladakh is a strategically important region for India as it borders China and has seen related tensions over the past few years.
Sonam Wangchuk had said that the BJP-led central government should keep its promise to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Although the demands have been there ever since Ladakh was made a Union Territory, it transformed into a significant movement in the year 2024.
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir got an assembly and also got its first elected government since then. Ladakh remains more centrally administered.
When the rules governing land ownership by non-locals ended, along with the abrogation of Article 370 and the related special status of the undivided Jammu and Kashmir state, Ladakh also lost some of its security.
Since that move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP-led NDA government, people in Ladakh have united around a four-point agenda:
Statehood for LadakhBecause UT status has not met their demands for self-governance and security
Inclusion of Ladakh under Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, to protect our tribal status
Establishment of a separate Public Service Commission For Ladakh, to address unemployment
To give the Center more say, two parliamentary seats for Ladakh, whereas it currently has one seat
The Sixth Schedule provides greater autonomy to tribal areas like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
Just days before turning 33, Alia Bhatt has pressed pause on her hectic schedule to soak in some family time. The actor has jetted off to Hong Kong with husband Ranbir Kapoor and their daughter Raha for a quiet getaway. Several candid pictures of the trio strolling through the city and taking their little one to a park have now surfaced on social media.
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt welcomed daughter Raha in 2022.
Alia off to Hong Kong with family
Alia will turn 33 on March 15. A video that is now catching attention across fan pages shows Alia and Ranbir enjoying a relaxed outing with their daughter Raha at a children’s park in Hong Kong. In the clip, the couple can be seen holding Raha’s hands as they walk through the park, chatting and exploring the space together.
At one point, Alia is seen planting a sweet kiss on Raha’s cheek, while the family is also spotted climbing the steps to a ride. For the casual day out, Alia kept it chic in a grey hoodie layered with a black jacket and jeans, while Ranbir opted for a black T-shirt paired with a denim jacket and grey track pants. Little Raha, meanwhile, stole hearts in an adorable bright red tracksuit.
Social media users were quick to gush over the heartwarming family moment featuring Ranbir, Alia, and little Raha, with many taking to the comments section to share their excitement and admiration for the adorable trio.
“They are so cute,” one fan wrote, with another sharing, “Cutest family of Bollywood”. One mentioned, “So cute”, with one excited fan writing, “So cute mom daughter”. “Bro how on earth is she the perfect perfect mix of ranbir and alia both howwwww,” one comment read.
Ranbir dated Alia for a few years and got married in April 2022. Raha was born in November of the same year. Ranbir and Alia surprised their fans by making their first public appearance with Raha on Christmas 2023. However, Alia later removed all of Raha’s photos from her social media platforms.
Alia Bhatt’s upcoming projects
Alia will soon be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War. Apart from Alia, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. It marks Alia’s second collaboration with Bhansali after 2022’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, for which she won a National Award for Best Actress.
Alia was last seen in Jigra (2024). She also has spy thriller Alpha in the pipeline. The film is slated for release on July 10. Alpha was originally slated for release in Christmas 2025, but was moved to 17 April 2026. It is believed that the film has been pushed again to avoid a clash with Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan, also releasing on April 17.
Meanwhile, Ranbir will be seen next in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana alongside Sai Pallavi and Yash. Produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana stars Ranbir as Lord Rama, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The film will be released in two parts, with the first part arriving on Diwali 2026 and the second on Diwali 2027.
KKR defeated SRH to win the IPL 2024 title (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have revealed their new jersey ahead of the IPL 2026 season.Speaking during the jersey launch, Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer of Knight Riders Sports, said: “The Lines of Legacy captures the essence of KKR’s storied history and celebrates the journey of the team over the years. Each line represents a pivotal moment of brilliance, reflecting the energy and spirit that weaves together to form our identity. We are proud of this legacy that we have built and want to carry it into the upcoming season while creating more memories for our fans to cherish.”
EXCLUSIVE: Rahul Dravid on iconic Eden Gardens win against Australia in 2001
Talking about the campaign film built around the new kit, Binda Dey, Chief Marketing Officer of Knight Riders Sports, said: “Through our ‘Kya Line Hai?’ campaign film featuring actor Rajat Bedi and comedian Anirban Dasgupta, and other popular creators from Kolkata, we wanted to bring the idea of the ‘Lines of Legacy’ to life and celebrate the iconic moments that define KKR’s journey. The campaign invites fans to be part of that story as we head into a new season. By collaborating with local Kolkata influencers and creators, we’re bringing the legacy of the team to fans in a fun and authentic way.”KKR have lifted the trophy on three occasions — in 2012, 2014 and 2024.
The Haryana State Commission for Women on Friday issued orders to arrest rapper Badshah after he failed to appear before them before the deadline. This is in connection with the alleged objectionable lyrics and visuals in his recently released Haryanvi music video, Tateeree. Chairperson Renu Bhatia had previously warned of strict action against him.
Rapper Badshah ran into trouble over objectionable lyrics and visuals in his song Tateeree. (Getty Images via AFP)
Arrest orders issued for Badshah by women’s commission
Badshah was directed to appear before the women’s commission by 3 PM on Friday, following a notice issued on March 6, which asked him to appear in Panipat. As per PTI, the chairperson spoke to reporters and said that she has directed that Badshah’s passport be seized so he cannot leave the country and that he be arrested.
She told the press, “I have ordered SP Panipat to get Badshah arrested from anywhere, any place and issue search orders.” Renu also stated that the rapper was asked to appear before them before March 13 over the song “in which Haryana daughters have been insulted with inappropriate words and language.” The chairperson also stated that FIRs have been registered in Panchkula and Jind in this matter.
Renu also told the press that people (lawyers) representing Badshah had asked the Commission for a further date, which they didn’t allow. She also wrote to the National Commission for Women (NCW) requesting that no Badshah show be held in the country.
A lawyer representing Badshah told reporters in Panipat that they had brought an authority letter from the rapper and sought more time, as the summons had not been received. “Under the law, everyone has the right to present their side. But here that is not being given,” the lawyer claimed.
Badshah’s apology and removal of Tateeree
After Tateeree dropped the song, Badshah faced backlash over its lyrics and visuals. He uploaded a video to his Instagram, apologising for the hurt feelings and stating that the song was being removed.
Panchkula police recently initiated the process to issue a look-out circular against Badshah to prevent him from leaving the country. A formal notice was also issued to the rapper to appear before them. Several police teams have been constituted to ensure his arrest and are conducting continuous raids at various possible locations, the Haryana Police had said in a statement on Saturday.
The police stated that the video depicts minor girls wearing school uniforms and throwing away their school bags to run away from studies. “The use of words such as Badshala in the song has also been found to depict the school environment and education in a misleading and inappropriate manner. Furthermore, objectionable and derogatory expressions towards women and girls have also been identified in the lyrics,” read their statement.
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge ‘will be over’ if they fail to beat resurgent West Ham on Saturday.
City could kick off at the London Stadium 10 points behind leaders Arsenal should the Gunners beat Everton earlier in the day, and must bounce back from the disappointment of a 0-3 Champions League drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday. “The English Premier League always is the most difficult one [title to win] and still we are there, knowing that if we drop points, it’ll be over,” said Guardiola on Friday.
The City boss has won six EPL titles in his nine previous seasons in England. But his team were well off the pace last season, finishing 13 points behind champions Liverpool, in third spot. “It is a pleasure to be here. Last season we could not live that in this stage, so it’s nice. Always I have said, since I arrived [in England], in the last 10 games, every team plays for something — for relegation, to be champions etc. So now there are no second chances,” the Spanish manager added.
07 No of points that separate Man City from table-toppers Arsenal
Veteran musician Boy George has offered Chappell Roan advice following her recent public clash with paparazzi. He shared on social media that navigating fame requires embracing it, even when inconvenient. Boy George encouraged the singer to “own your fame” and use kindness to set boundaries, suggesting the world is her oyster and she should not resist it.
Chappell Roan recently made headlines after telling paparazzi not to take photos of her. Following the incident, there have been many opinions online about what happened, from fans and netizens alike. Many celebrities have also shared their support and opinions for the ‘HOT TO GO!’ singer as well. The Culture Club member Boy George was one of them. Read on to know more about what he had to say to Chappell Roan.
Boy George gives Chappell Roan advice following paparazzi incident
Following Roan’s viral run-in with photographers, Boy George had a few words to share with the singer. He posted a comment on social media, talking about how one does not get a “free pass” in this industry.His post read, “It’s probably not helpful, but I have been doing this fame thing for a while and you learn slowly and painfully that you don’t get a free pass once you turn yourself into a bird of paradise.” He talked about how he had watched the video himself, and it had often reminded him of his run-ins with paps. “The trick is to own your fame. Yes, it’s annoying at times, but so is being ignored and told [you’re] a ‘has-been. Life is always now, and I think Chappell looks great, but cheer up girl. The world is at your feet, stop kicking it! It takes so much more time to say no to a picture or a signature. Boundaries are boring. Break them with the magic of kindness!” he further added in the post.
About Chappell Roan’s run-in with the papparazzi
Earlier this week, a video of Chappell Roan in public went viral. The video showed paparazzi around the singer as she walked away. In the video, Roan can be heard telling them not to click photos of her and to “stop following” and “stop harassing” her.
United States President Donald Trump has said the country’s military bombed military installations on Iran’s Kharg Island, warning the area’s critical oil facilities could be next if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, in turn, threatened on Saturday to reduce US-linked oil facilities to “a pile of ashes” if oil structures on the island were targeted as the US-Israel war on Iran, now in its punishing third week, spilled over into a global oil price crisis already in the making.
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Kharg Island is where more than 90 percent of Iran’s oil is exported. Crude oil prices have surged more than 40 percent since the war began.
Trump said on Friday US forces had “totally obliterated” all military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub, describing it in a social media post as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East.” He provided no evidence of that.
The US president said he had chosen not to “wipe out” oil infrastructure on the Iranian island, for now.
“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he added.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported, citing sources, that more than 15 explosions were heard on Kharg Island during the US attacks.
The sources said the attacks targeted air defences, a naval base, and airport facilities, but caused no damage to oil infrastructure. Iran’s Fars news agency reported thick smoke was seen rising from the island.
Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall, reporting from Tehran, said Iran’s potential retaliatory attacks on Gulf oil facilities would be a “catastrophic scenario” for the region, and for the “entire industry of oil and gas”.
“The Iranians are keeping this, apparently, as a card to use,” he said. “They’ve been talking about restraint and the possibility of that restraint ending if the Iranian oil facilities are attacked, as the Americans are hinting and threatening.”
US ground operation in the works?
Meanwhile, 2,500 more Marines and an amphibious assault ship are being sent to the Middle East, a US official told AP news agency.
Elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to the region, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.
(Al Jazeera)
Marine Expeditionary Units are able to conduct amphibious landings, but they also specialise in bolstering security at embassies, evacuating civilians, and disaster relief.
“What we’re to make of this is that the US is very slowly increasing its military posture in terms of prosecuting the war, and that it is not intending to wrap things up any time soon,” Al Jazeera’s Rosalind Jordan reported from Washington.
The deployment does not necessarily indicate that a ground operation is imminent or will take place.
Trump dismisses prospect of deal
Following the attack on Kharg Island, Trump said Iran would be “wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country”. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal – but not a deal that I would accept!” he posted separately, providing no evidence Tehran was seeking any sort of deal.
At least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured by US-Israeli attacks on Iran since 28 February, Iran’s Health Ministry says.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said US-Israeli air strikes hit targets across the country, including in the capital, Karaj, Isfahan and Tabriz. He said this was a sign that “we are not close to de-escalation”.
“Iranian officials are talking about retaliatory strikes, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps talking about using what they call their most advanced weaponry, including Heidar missiles, to target Israeli territories and US bases in the region,” he said.
Air travellers, brace yourselves for costlier tickets! You might soon be charged higher amounts for flight fares as the Middle East crisis continues to push fuel prices higher. The conflict has disrupted global oil supplies, and with the summer travel season just around the corner, industry experts say fare hikes are becoming inevitable. However, when the price hikes will kick in and how steep the increase will is still unclear.The pressure is expected to be most visible on long-haul international flights, which consume far more fuel than shorter domestic routes. While some airlines have already announced price adjustments, others are warning that rising fuel costs will soon make their way into ticket prices.United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby recently signalled that fare increases in the United States could arrive quickly as fuel costs continue to climb across the industry. “Probably start quick,” he said, referring to when higher airfares could begin appearing.
Conflict pushing fuel costs higher
The surge in jet fuel prices follows disruptions in global oil supply caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Oil exports have been constrained as shipments face continuous difficulties, prompting major producers including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to cut back production.The situation has been further complicated by attacks carried out by Iran on commercial ships in the Persian Gulf and on oil infrastructure in Gulf Arab countries following US and Israeli strikes. These developments have effectively stopped traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes.The instability in crude oil markets has pushed up jet fuel prices sharply. According to the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, the average price airlines paid for jet fuel in the United States reached $3.99 per gallon on Friday. Two weeks earlier, the day before the war began, the average price stood at $2.50 per gallon. The index measures average jet fuel prices across major US airports.Government data also shows that airlines were paying significantly less for fuel earlier in the year. Figures from the US department of transportation’s bureau of transportation statistics indicate that US airlines paid roughly $2.36 per gallon in January, the latest month for which data is available.
Airlines face growing operating costs
Some carriers use fuel hedging strategies to protect themselves from sudden price increases, locking in prices months or even years in advance. However, this protection is often limited and does not cover all fuel needs. Many airlines also no longer rely heavily on hedging, which means extended periods of high fuel prices could push more carriers to raise fares.Kirby addressed the challenges of hedging during a Harvard event last week. “No one hedges anymore, and even if you do, hedging the crack spread is really hard to do,” he said. The crack spread refers to the difference between the price of crude oil and the cost of refined products such as petrol.Operational challenges are also adding to the burden. Airspace closures across parts of the Middle East have forced airlines to reroute flights, often requiring longer journeys that burn additional fuel and increase operating expenses.
Potential impact on passengers
Travellers could see the effects of rising fuel costs in several ways. Airlines outside the United States often impose fuel surcharges that are added to the base ticket price, and these charges can be increased when fuel becomes more expensive.Major US airlines typically do not use separate fuel surcharges. Instead, they include fuel expenses within the total fare, meaning passengers are more likely to see higher ticket prices rather than a separate fee, according to Tyler Hosford, security director at global risk management firm International SOS.Airlines may also look at other ways to offset costs by adjusting prices for optional services such as extra legroom seats, seat upgrades, checked baggage and priority boarding. As a result, the overall cost of a trip could rise even if base ticket prices remain unchanged initially.Christopher Anderson, a professor at Cornell University’s business school who studies operations and information management in the airline and hospitality industries, said prolonged high fuel prices could also prompt airlines to change schedules or reduce certain routes.
Fuel costs already driving fare increases
Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region have been among the first to respond with fare increases and fuel surcharges. If high jet fuel prices continue, analysts expect more airlines, particularly those without fuel hedging arrangements, to follow.Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flag carrier, announced that it will raise its fuel surcharge beginning Wednesday.“The price of jet fuel has approximately doubled since March amid the latest developments in the Middle East,” the airline said in a statement Thursday.Several other airlines have also introduced price changes. Air France-KLM said that round-trip economy tickets on long-haul routes could increase by about 50 euros (around $57). Air India introduced fuel surcharges on certain routes on Thursday and said the charge will rise by up to $50 for tickets to Europe, North America and Australia after March 18. Hong Kong Airlines also raised fuel surcharges on several routes from Thursday, while South Africa’s FlySafair announced a temporary fuel surcharge.
Advice for travellers
Industry experts say travellers planning summer holidays may still be able to manage costs by booking flights earlier rather than waiting for last-minute offers.Locking in ticket prices sooner, especially when flexible booking options allow changes, can help secure fares before airlines adjust them further.Hosford recommends that travellers remain flexible with travel dates, compare prices from nearby airports and set alerts to monitor fare changes. He also suggested using frequent flyer miles or credit card points to book flights instead of waiting for the ideal deal.
San Francisco, I teach a course on AI and filmmaking at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and lately, rather than planning each session well in advance, I’ve been structuring the class the night before. I’ll browse platforms like X, Substack and YouTube, selecting the most provocative articles and video clips to present the following morning.
As the Oscars approach, Hollywood grapples with AI’s growing influence on filmmaking
It’s a testament to how quickly artificial intelligence’s relationship to filmmaking is evolving: Each week brings new – often startling – developments.
The next morning in class, my students and I debate the ethics, aesthetics and the storytelling changes taking place in these collaborations with AI.
And we’re not alone: Throughout Hollywood, everyone – aspiring actors and filmmakers, stars, screenwriters and studio execs – seems to have a take on what’s coming next. But I think three trends in particular are going to be hot topics of conversation at this year’s Oscars parties.
Nothing uncanny about this clip
In February 2026, a 15-second AI-generated video clip of Tom Cruise battling Brad Pitt on a burned-out highway overpass went viral.
Depending on the viewer, the video elicited either admiration, outrage or existential hand-wringing.
Created by Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson via a generative-AI tool called Seedance 2.0, the video marked yet another milestone in the propulsive growth of AI tools.
Seedance 2.0 – which was developed by ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok – is now one of the many AI tools available to create short-form video clips. But unlike most AI-generated videos, Pitt and Cruise don’t look creepy, uncanny or animated in the clip, which almost perfectly mimics live-action footage. The appearance of two A-list stars in a fairly realistic scene created by a relatively unknown director using stolen likenesses jolted the industry.
The backlash was swift. Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter, claiming that the video was generated from a dataset that most likely includes Disney’s copyrighted characters. The actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, pointed to the video’s “blatant infringement” of the actors’ likenesses, as well as their voices.
“SAG-AFTRA stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement enabled by Bytedance’s new AI video model Seedance 2.0,” the guild wrote in a statement. This practice, the guild added, “undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood,” while disregarding “law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent.”
In class, after watching the video, we explored the ethics of using someone’s likeness without permission, the challenges facing actors who build careers based on their unique ability to embody characters, and what the future holds for our understanding of acting.
If filmmakers can prompt fake actors to deliver precise performances, where does that leave human actors?
In with the old
Since 2023, the skyline of the Las Vegas strip has been dominated by an illuminated orb called the Sphere: an entertainment complex featuring a 360-degree LED screen covering 160,000 square feet . The Sphere recently surpassed 2 million tickets sold for a reimagining of the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.”
The film, which premiered in August 2024, was shortened, its color was enhanced, and it was stretched to expand across the interior of the dome. AI was used to transfer the imagery from the film’s original, modest aspect ratio to the giant dome. This required generating new imagery around the edges of the original shots in what’s known as “AI outpainting.” The technology was also deployed to boost the original film’s resolution and to enhance certain scenes.
Some critics fretted that this fairly radical augmentation of the original classic would offend viewers. Instead, it has drawn them in droves to the Sphere, where they’ve been willing to shell out between US$100 and $200 per ticket.
Not bad for a movie about a girl from Kansas made in 1939.
Given the resounding success of “The Wizard of Oz,” experts expect producers to plumb the film archives for other potential hits and enhance them with AI before screening them in venues as varied as IMAX theaters and Cosm, another 360-degree dome with locations in Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta.
Or AI can simply be used to create material that was never completed for a historic film.
In fact, The New Yorker recently profiled AI media entrepreneur Edward Saatchi, who is working to recreate and reincorporate lost footage from Orson Welles’ 1942 feature “The Magnificent Ambersons.” While Welles was in Brazil shooting a documentary, executives at RKO Radio Pictures reedited the film without his approval after a poor preview screening. They cut around 45 minutes, replaced the original ending with a happier one and destroyed most of the footage that had been removed.
Saatchi’s idea is to build a dataset that includes the existing film, as well as scripts, notes, images and even new performances by actors. Then he plans to use his AI platform, Showrunner, to create new scenes from this data.
While Saatchi hopes to honor the director’s creative vision by producing the film he originally intended, his efforts open up some thorny questions.
Is it appropriate to take an existing artwork and revise it without the creator’s input? Isn’t there something sacrosanct about a film, the intentions of the director and the performances of the actors in a film’s original form? To what extent should these questions be overlooked if refashioning old movies will introduce them to new audiences?
Fewer opportunities?
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There’s also an undercurrent of anxiety in my classes. What will happen, my students often wonder, once they graduate?
They’re worried that within a year or two, AI will have replaced entry-level film industry jobs, from concept artists to apprentice-level editors, before they’ve even had a chance to enter the workforce.
They have reason to fear.
In 2024, the Animation Guild published a sobering report claiming that by 2026, “creative workers will be facing an era of disruption, defined by the consolidation of some job roles, the replacement of existing job roles with new ones, and the elimination of many jobs entirely.”
Some of those predictions have borne out: 41,000 jobs in film and television have disappeared in Los Angeles County alone over the past three years.
But I’ve tried to counter the hard statistics with some stories of thoughtful practices.
For example, filmmaker Paul Trillo at the AI studio Asteria has talked about how he seeks to keep artists at the center of the process. When he detailed the company’s work on a music video for the singer-songwriter Cuco, he was keen to highlight the number of artists working on the project. Yes, AI tools were used. But they were integrated in a way that replaced the tedious work, not the creative practice.
“Rather than removing [artists] from the process, it actually allowed them to do a lot more so a small team can dream a lot bigger,” Trillo explains at the end of the video.
In January 2026, the management consulting firm McKinsey published a report that largely echoes Trillo’s positive outlook. It forecasts more adoption of AI throughout the industry. But it also points to ways that the technology could lead to different kinds of work and open up new possibilities. For example, as AI-generated scenes become commonplace, studios will need technicians who know how to blend real footage with digitally created worlds. And as AI lowers the cost of producing polished films and shows, it could allow more “micro-studios” and independent filmmakers to create professional-quality content.
At the same time, the report also quotes a studio executive who concedes that AI could represent “a more significant platform shift than we have ever seen before in our industry.”
So it’s no wonder my students, along with varied critics, commentators and industry professionals, are nervous.
However, from where I stand, I’m convinced that the industry will weather this radical disruption. It’s adapted to big changes in the past: the addition of sound in the 1920s, the threat posed by videotape in the 1980s and streaming in the 2000s.
In the end, people will always crave new, artfully told stories. While the filmmaking tools and job market may be in transition, that core need for storytelling is not going away. AMS
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
