chennai l tuesday l march 03, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 20 l late city EDITION pakistan penalises players for exiting T20 WC in Super 8s? According to reports in the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board has slapped huge penalty on each of the cricketers part of the campaign fined $18,000 each for poor performance Eyes on the two big semifinals Not just the PCB, even some top govt functionaries were apparently unhappy with the team’s performance. If confirmed, this would be the first time a team would face such a penalty for exiting World Cup. Pak lost to India but somehow managed to reach the Super 8s where they succumbed to England after their match against New Zealand was rained off ■ ■ India will play England in the 2nd semifinal in Mumbai on Thursday. South Africa & New Zealand will play the first one on Wednesday PCB had earlier suspended all No Objection Certificates for their players playing at various T20 leagues after the team’s loss against India in the final of the Asia Cup | P15 5 million Pakistan rupees is the fine apparently slapped on players CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI aramco oil refinery hit Saudi Aramco shut down its Ras Tanura oil refinery near Dammam on Monday after it was hit by Iran. Earlier, debris fell on Kuwait’s Ahmadi oil refinery, injuring two Huge spike in Gas futures European natural gas futures spiked 42% as Qatar stopped production of LNG after two attacks on Ras Laffan and Mesaieed fields. Qatar snapped ties with Iran u.s. boots on ground not ruled out At least 555 killed in Iran, 11 in Israel as West Asia war rages on; Gulf allies bear the brunt; EU nations try to evacuate their residents A GE N C IES @ Tehran, Tel Aviv, Dubai THE war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran spread across West Asia and beyond on Monday, with Lebanon’s Hezbollah entering the fray and a British air base in Cyprus targeted. The Israeli military said it began new strikes on Tehran, as first responders heard explosions ring out on the third day of the US-Israeli joint assault and blasts rocked Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Gulf monarchies threatened to retaliate as a Saudi oil refinery burned, Qatar halted LNG production, tankers were attacked off Oman and energy prices soared. President Donald Trump said he was not ruling out sending US troops into Iran, while admitting that the war could drag on for “four to five weeks, or longer”. The intensity of the attacks and the lack of any exit plan means a prolonged conflict. The chaos became apparent when the US said Kuwait, an ally, had “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15Es. The US said all six pilots ejected safely . It however, confirmed that four of its troops were killed. Black smoke rose from the Airspace opens 3 US F-15Es shot in Kuwait in friendly fire Wife of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei too killed Hezbollah faces Lebanon ban after attack on Israel, IDF kills Hezbollah intel chief US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says no timeline to end hostilities First flight from Dubai carrying Indians touches base in New Delhi Trump says US yet to launch its biggest strike US embassy complex in Kuwait as Iran pressed on with attacks it launched in retaliation for the US-Israeli hits that killed its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Its top security official Ali Larijani said: “We won’t negotiate with US.” The toll grew on all sides. Iranian Red Crescent Society said the US-Israeli hits killed at least 555 people. In Israel, 11 were killed in Iranian hits. Urging restraint, UK PM Keir Star mer said Iran’s approach is “reckless”.  P13 (From left) Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, The New Indian Express Editor Santwana Bhattacharya, CEO Lakshmi Menon, Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla (right) and Rajalakshmi Engineering College Vice Chairman Abhay Meganathan during the inauguration of the 14th edition of the ThinkEdu Conclave, in Chennai on Monday | P ravikumar India-Canada ties TNIE conclave spotlights AI, rebound, $2.6-bn ambitions and self-reliance uranium deal done E x p r e s s n e w s s e r v i c e @ Chennai Policymakers, academicians, industry leaders, artists, and public figures came together to discuss issues ranging from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to diplomacy culture, sustaina, bility and role of education in India on , the first day of the ThinkEdu Conclave 2026 held in Chennai on Monday . Delivering the inaugural address at the event presented by Tata Group and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions as title sponsor, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi underscored the importance of education and AI adoption in India’s development journey . “AI is a transformative technology that empowers individuals and nations,” Ravi said, adding that India must develop its own domain-specific AI models instead of merely replicating the high-energy-consuming Silicon Valley models. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria (Retd), former Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, and Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan (Retd) discussed how defence preparedness and diplomatic engagement must work together in navigating an increasingly complex global order. Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu and Tata Motors CSO Jyotin Kutty Sastabhavan underscored the role inside Presents THINKEDU CONCLAVE The journey of human civilisation has always been on the back of technology. Becoming a developed nation by the centenary of Independence is not merely an aspiration but a necessity RN Ravi, TN Governor Aim is to release comprehensive human brain maps that can serve as a global reference in neuroanatomy. More than 100 human brains are being mapped now Dr Mohanasankar, IIT-M professor played by communities, businesses, and gover nments in protecting local ecosystems. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, during his conversation with senior journalist Kaveree Bamzai, predicted a bright prospect for the Congress in Kerala, and stressed on the importance of liberal values and education. Actor Khushbu Sundar and filmmaker G Dhananjheyan discussed cinema’s political influence, contrasting digital popularity with electoral legitimacy . CPM Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas contended that right-wing rhetoric on education does not match ground realities, citing stark contrasts in school dropout figures between Gujarat, Chennai, and Kerala. Smriti Z Irani, former Union Minister, said that India’s future lies in science, underscoring the need for women’s economic empowerment and greater private investment in research. The event began with Saraswati Vandana by Shreya Ramnath and rendition of devotional songs by students from the Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions. Welcoming the gathering, Prabhu Chawla, editorial director of TNIE, lauded the ThinkEdu Conclave 2026 as a global hub of ideas since its inception in 2012. Over 250 students took part on the first day of the conclave. Israel-Iran war reflects US strategy: Tharoor; Right-wing rhetoric unreal: Brittas | P4, P5 E x p r e s s Re a d Three gored to death at Sivaganga manjuvirattu Flames and smoke rise from Israeli airstrikes on Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon in Monday | AP/PTI Frenetic Modi diplomacy for de-escalation in Wasia Sivaganga: Three spectators, including an ice cream seller, were gored to death by bulls during manjuvirattu at Araliparai village in Sivaganga on Monday. The event was held as part of the masi festival at Balathandayuthapani temple in the village. About 91 people were injured in this year’s manjuvirattu, sources said | P2 Two dead, 7 injured as gang attacks villagers with sickles in Tirunelveli Tirunelveli: Tension gripped Perumpathu village near Nanguneri in Tirunelveli after a nine-member gang that arrived on three two-wheelers on Monday night attacked the residents with sickles, leaving two dead and seven others injured. All the accused were wearing masks, police said. Soon after the unprovoked attack, the residents belonging to BC and Scheduled Caste communities staged a road blockade demanding the arrest of the accused. Police security has been beefed up across the village | P6 J ayanth J acob @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Gulf leaders on Monday as West Asia plunged deeper into crisis following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli Indian sailor strike and Tehran’s sweeping retaliation. dies in attack In his call with Netanyahu, Modi conveyed India’s concern over the spiralling conflict An Indian sailor was killed after an and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities. “Conveyed India’s concerns over explosives-laden recent developments and emphasised the safeunmanned boat ty of civilians as a priority India reiterates the . struck oil tanker MV MKD Vyom off need for an early cessation of hostilities,” Modi posted on X. the coast of The conversation came hours after Modi Oman’s Muscat chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee Governorate | P11 on Security to review the situation and assess contingency plans for Indian nationals in the region. During his conversation with Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Modi agreed that the “earliest restoration of regional peace and stability is of utmost importance.” He condemned attacks targeting Saudi territory and reiterated India’s solidarity A similar message was conveyed to . Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain. He also spoke with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, condemning attacks and calling for de-escalation through talks and diplomacy . J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi INDIA and Canada on Monday signed a $2.6-billion longterm uranium supply agreement and a pact on critical minerals, marking a significant rebound in bilateral relations after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney . The agreements were part of a broader agenda that includes a new India-Canada Defence Dialogue and a commitment to concluding a comprehensive economic partnership by 2026, aiming to raise bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The reset comes after years of strained relations under former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. Addressing the media, Modi described the day as an “important milestone” and said “since our first meeting, our relationship has been infused with new energy, mutual trust, and positivity India and Cana. FTA in the works da share an unwavering beIndia and Canada have lief in democratic values… launched negotiations for a Today, we discussed transfree trade agreement, forming this vision into a officially known as the Next Level Partnership.” Comprehensive Economic He highlighted Canada’s Partnership Agreement. Talks $100 billion investment in will cover trade in goods, Indian markets as a strong services and other mutually indicator of confidence in agreed policy areas. The pact India’s growth trajectory . is expected to be finalised The two leaders also fosoon, officials said cused on critical minerals, with Modi noting the pact will “strengthen resilient supply chains” and support technological and industrial collaboration. In defence, both sides agreed to expand cooperation, including maritime domain awareness, military exchanges, and enhanced defence industries. “We will work to enhance defence industries, maritime domain awareness, and military exchanges. To this end, we have decided to establish the India-Canada Defence Dialogue,” Modi said, underlining deep mutual trust. Carney described the agreements as “not merely the renewal of a relationship, but the expansion of a valued partnership with new ambition, focus and foresight… a partnership between two confident countries charting our own course for the future.” Beyond energy and defence, the leaders pledged collaboration in technology, innovation, and education. Modi highlighted partnerships connecting startups, universities, and research institutes in AI, healthcare, agriculture, quantum computing, supercomputing, and semiconductors. DMK sets deadline, asks Congress to take call on alliance today P r abha k a r Ta m i l a r a s u @ Chennai As the deadlock over seatsharing continues, the ruling DMK is believed to have given an ultimatum to the Congress to take a final decision on the issue by Tuesday . While the DMK is firm on giving 25-28 seats, apart from one Rajya Sabha seat, the Congress is holding its ground on not accepting anything less than 34 seats. Sources privy to the development told TNIE that DMK has asked the Congress high command to decide on the matter before Tuesday as they have to finalise the Rajya Sabha seats and candidates. The deadline for filing of nominations for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections is on March 5. On Sunday night, the Congress high command held telephonic consultations with its MLAs in Tamil Nadu to ascertain their views on the alliance and the ongoing negotiations with the DMK. “While most of the MLAs were positive about going with the DMK alliance, they were also particular about getting more seats than what the party got in 2021,” a senior AICC leader told TNIE. VCK wants 12 seats, won’t seek share in power Chennai: The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) during its first round of seat-sharing talks with DMK at Anna Arivalayam on Monday has demanded 12 seats, six more than what it contested in the 2021 poll, sources said. Expressing his view on sharing power, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said his party won’t press for share in power. “VCK is not a party that would be holding parleys with multiple parties at the same time. The secular alliance was formed to defeat and ensure that communal forces don’t enter the state,” he said | P6 On Sunday night, on Chief Minister M K Stalin’s birthday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi dialled Stalin to convey his birthday wishes. The call assumed significance as the birthday greetings Rahul posted on ‘X’ earlier in the day led to further speculation as it was perceived to lack the usual warmth he shows towards Stalin. However, sources privy to the developments say that there was no discussion regarding the seat-sharing talks during the call. Speaking to TNIE, RS Bharathi, DMK organising secretary and one of the members of the seat-sharing committee, said that they are yet to hear from the Congress on their acceptance of the seats offered and it would be difficult for DMK to wait indefinitely . “We have conveyed our position. We could proceed further only after we get a confirmation from them. We have to announce the candidates for RS polls and the candidates have to file their nominations before Friday,” Bharathi said. Senior Congress leaders in Delhi, however, said that they are waiting for DMK to accept their demands.  P9