Norway Chess 2026 will take place in Oslo from May 25 to June 5, featuring elite men’s and women’s tournaments with equal prize money and format. Six players in each event will compete in a double round-robin with Armageddon tiebreaks. Stars include Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Wesley So, plus Ju Wenjun, Zhu Jiner, Humpy Koneru, and Divya Deshmukh in the women’s field.

NEW DELHI: Norway Chess 2026 will be held in Oslo from May 25 to June 5, 2026, and it will bring together some of the best chess players in the world. The event includes two tournaments: Norway Chess for men and Norway Chess Women for women. Both events follow the same format, prize money system, and playing conditions, which highlights the focus on fairness and equality.Each tournament will feature six players who will face each other twice in a double round-robin format. If a classical game ends in a draw, players will play an Armageddon game to decide a winner.In the open category, big names like Magnus Carlsen, Vincent Keymer, Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Gukesh Dommaraju, and Wesley So will compete. Carlsen is a multiple-time world champion and Norway Chess winner.Norway Chess 2026 – Open Category

Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh represent India’s new chess generation, with Gukesh being the current world champion. Wesley So is a consistent top player with many international titles.The women’s tournament also features a strong lineup. Zhu Jiner will make her debut after rising quickly to World No. 2. Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun will return, along with experienced stars like Humpy Koneru and Anna Muzychuk. Young talents such as Divya Deshmukh and Bibisara Assaubayeva will also compete, adding fresh energy to the event.Norway Chess Women 2026

Norway Chess Women started in 2024 and has already become one of the most important women’s chess tournaments. With top players, equal prize money, and a unique format, Norway Chess 2026 promises to be one of the most exciting chess events of the year.

New Zealand’s team huddles before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Canada and New Zealand in Chennai, India, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP)

TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: New Zealand middle-order batter Mark Chapman looked perplexed when he was asked about the Super Eight groups, where all four table-toppers, who have done well in their respective groups, will end up facing each other. It has been done because of the pre-tournament seedings.The 31-year-old smiled and replied, “When it comes to scheduling and planning, that’s not really in my domain.”

Chapman’s response sums up the way New Zealand play their cricket. No fuss, no theatrics, just straight down to business.After playing three matches in Chennai and one in Ahmedabad, all on red-soil pitches, the Kiwis had only one training session to adapt to the conditions ahead of their first Super Eight match against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Did they look bothered?

None of them rushed towards the pitch for a closer look. Once warm-ups were done, the players moved to the indoor nets. About an hour later, Daryl Mitchell came out barefoot to inspect the surface, spending a good fifteen minutes studying every inch of the 22 yards.Chapman, who did not get to see the surface, left it to the senior leadership group.“In the subcontinent, the toss always plays a factor depending on the conditions. I haven’t seen the pitch yet, so I don’t actually know what it looks like. There will be discussions behind the scenes with the senior leadership group about what we want to do,” he said.The black-soil pitches in Colombo do assist spinners, and with bigger boundaries and a slower outfield, it presents a new challenge for the 2021 T20 World Cup finalists.“We haven’t played in Sri Lanka yet. A lot of guys in our team have played a lot of cricket here, so I don’t see that playing too much of a factor. Guys understand what they need to do, and we are confident we will face whatever conditions are in front of us,” said Chapman, whose knees were heavily strapped.“In India, particularly on red-soil pitches, conditions have been favourable for batting. It has been tough for the bowlers, and the margins have been very small. We have seen scores close to 200 regularly.“Here, it is slightly different with the slower nature of the pitches. The bowlers will hopefully get a chance to show their skills, and spinners are more likely to play a part here,” he added.

Playing at the same venue

Although Pakistan are stationed in Sri Lanka, they played their group matches at two different venues in Colombo.New Zealand will be the only team playing all their Super Eight matches at the same venue, facing Pakistan on February 21, Sri Lanka on February 25, and England on February 27, all at the R Premadasa Stadium.“One of the challenges in tournaments like these is hopping from venue to venue and adapting. When we play three games at the same place, we learn with each game.“It is nice to turn up at the same venue with similar pitches and adjust. Tomorrow is our first game here, so we will have to adapt anyway, but we will understand the conditions better as we go,” he said.

Facing spin

New Zealand’s first challenge will be Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack. Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmad, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan form a strong unit.“Pakistan have a number of very good spinners, each with their own threat. We have played them quite frequently over the last few years.“We are well aware of what they will bring. For us, it is about being really clear in how we want to play against them,” he said.Obviously, there was a Usman Tariq question: “Usman Tariq has a unique action with the way he pauses at the crease, so that is something to factor in.”Chapman, whose role is to take on spinners in the middle overs, explained why running between the wickets will be crucial.“Given the slower pitch and bigger boundaries, you have to change your game plan. Against spinners, it is about different options like the sweep or reverse sweep. In India, you can target straight boundaries more.“For me, it is about finding different areas of the ground. There are big pockets here, so it is not all about sixes. Twos, fours, and running between the wickets are very important, especially if it is not a high-scoring game,” he said.

Team news

New Zealand have suffered injury setbacks. Michael Bracewell has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after re-injuring his left calf. Captain Mitchell Santner missed the last group match against Canada due to illness, while Lockie Ferguson returned home for the birth of his first child.“Mitchell Santner looks pretty sprightly and excited to get back on the park, barring any last-minute illness.“Lockie has just returned and is coming off a long flight. We will see how he pulls up. I cannot confirm whether he will be in the playing eleven,” Chapman said.

The Taliban has introduced a new penal code in Afghanistan that formalises some of its most hardline policies, prompting concern among human rights groups about the consequences for women and children. Signed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, the 90-page criminal code allows husbands to physically discipline their wives and children as long as it does not result in “broken bones or open wounds.”But this is not the first time such a law has been passed. The Taliban have enacted a sweeping set of laws and decrees that dramatically curtail the rights of women and girls across Afghanistan, drawing sharp condemnation from United Nations experts and international human rights organisations.

Since returning to power, the Taliban leadership has formalised policies that affect nearly every aspect of women’s lives—education, employment, freedom of movement, dress, political participation, access to justice, and personal autonomy—effectively erasing women from public life.

Nationwide ban on secondary and university education for girls

Girls have been barred from attending secondary school beyond grade six, and women have been prohibited from enrolling in universities or sitting for entrance examinations. Entire fields of study—including engineering, agriculture, journalism, mining, and veterinary sciences—have been closed to women.Many girls’ education centres have been shut down, and in some provinces, local orders have reportedly banned girls aged 10 and above from attending even lower grades. Additional regulations require strict dress codes, including full-face coverings, as a condition for attending classes.Curriculum changes have also reduced secular subjects while expanding religious instruction, further narrowing women’s educational and professional prospects.

Broad bans on female workers across government and private sectors

Women have been barred from most government jobs and many private-sector roles, with limited and heavily restricted exceptions in some health and primary education positions. Taliban decrees have also prohibited women from working with national and international NGOs and even the United Nations—previously a major source of employment and essential services for women.Many women-run businesses, including small bakeries and shops, have been shut down. Women have also been barred from roles such as flight attendants and other public-facing professions.The dissolution of state institutions that once supported survivors of gender-based violence has left women without institutional protections in workplaces or homes.

‘Mahram’ requirement enforced

Women are now required to be accompanied by a close male relative, or mahram, for most travel beyond short distances, including trips to health facilities, workplaces, and government offices.Authorities have imposed restrictions preventing women from using public transport independently and have barred cafés and public venues from serving unaccompanied women. In some areas, hospitals have reportedly been ordered not to treat female patients unless accompanied by a male guardian, effectively denying women independent access to healthcare.Women have also been banned from entering parks, gyms, public baths, and other community spaces, severely limiting their participation in public life.

Mandatory coverings and collective punishment

Strict dress codes mandate the wearing of hijab in accordance with detailed guidelines, with some institutions requiring full-body coverings such as the chadari or burqa.Enforcement measures extend beyond women themselves. Women who fail to comply risk losing government jobs, while male relatives who are deemed to have “allowed” non-compliance may face suspension from their posts. Women have also been instructed not to visit male tailors and to limit social interactions outside the home.

Dismantling of legal Protections for women

The Taliban have dissolved shelters, legal aid centres, and state commissions addressing violence against women. Female lawyers have reportedly been denied licenses, effectively barring them from legal practice and restricting women’s access to gender-sensitive legal representation.Women seeking justice must appear fully covered before male judges and be accompanied by a male guardian—often the alleged abuser—making legal redress nearly impossible. Reports indicate that police and judges frequently dismiss domestic violence complaints as “private matters.”

Harsh punishments, limited protections against ‘moral crimes’

Under the new legal framework, husbands face up to 15 days in prison for using “obscene force” resulting in bruises or fractures, but convictions require the wife to prove the abuse in court under strict procedural constraints.Married women can reportedly face up to three months’ imprisonment for visiting relatives without their husband’s permission, even if fleeing abuse. Earlier legal safeguards, including the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law, have been scrapped.Public flogging—up to 39 lashes or more—and prison terms ranging from one to seven years have been imposed for “moral crimes” such as adultery or “illegitimate relations,” with women disproportionately affected. Taliban leaders have also threatened the resumption of public stoning for adultery, though such executions have not been widely reported.

Erasure from governance and public voice

Women have been excluded from senior political, judicial, and security posts. Mechanisms for women’s participation in governance have been dismantled.Women’s rights activists and protesters have faced violent dispersal, arrest, enforced disappearances, and alleged torture in detention. Women journalists have been subjected to strict censorship, harassment, and on-air face-covering requirements, driving many out of the profession.

International condemnation of Taliban

UN experts and rights organisations, including groups such as Rawadari, have described the Taliban’s legal framework as an unprecedented rollback of women’s rights. They argue that the policies constitute systematic gender-based discrimination and may meet the threshold for crimes against humanity.As the restrictions expand, Afghan women and girls continue to face shrinking access to education, work, healthcare, justice, and public life—raising urgent concerns about the long-term social and humanitarian consequences for the country.

LUCKNOW: A woman allegedly stormed into a power house in Vikas Nagar and assaulted electricity department employees after her house reportedly faced power disconnection, triggering chaos inside the substation premises. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing the woman slapping staff members, while a youth accompanying her also allegedly joined in the assault.

The incident occurred on February 18 at the Sector-14 power house in the Vikas Nagar locality of Lucknow. According to officials, the woman, a resident of house number 14/115 in Sector-14, had called the control room around 2.10 pm complaining that electricity was not being supplied to her residence. Power house staff asked her to provide the connection number and details regarding payment of dues. Officials said that when asked for the information, the woman allegedly became agitated and abruptly disconnected the call. Shortly thereafter, she reportedly arrived at the power house along with a youth. Eyewitnesses said she entered the premises and began abusing electricity employee Anoop Kumar. She allegedly threatened staff with dire consequences and tore official documents kept inside the control room. When another employee attempted to record the commotion on his mobile phone, the woman and the accompanying youth allegedly snatched the device and assaulted him. Electricity worker Harish Yadav was reportedly slapped and strangled during the scuffle. Other staff members, including Akash Kannaujia and Rajneesh Yadav, also sustained minor injuries while trying to defuse the situation. The sudden attack led to panic at the substation, with employees seen running for safety. Police were alerted through Dial-112. Junior Engineer Sunil Kumar Verma stated that he was not present at the substation at the time of the incident but rushed to the spot upon receiving the information. A formal complaint has been filed at Vikas Nagar police station. Station house officer, Vikas Nagar, Alok Kumar Singh confirmed that an FIR has been registered on the complaint of Sunil against the woman, identified as Nidhi Sharma, and an unidentified youth. Further investigation is underway. The charges against Nidhi include BNS 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 121 (1) (causing hurt to a public servant), 351 (criminal intimidation), and others.

In a heartwarming moment amid the high-pressure T20 World Cup 2026, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya ensured his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma’s 25th birthday was truly unforgettable, hosting an intimate cake-cutting ceremony at the team hotel in Ahmedabad on Thursday, February 19. The celebration, which took place just days before India’s crucial Super 8 encounter against South Africa, offered a rare glimpse into the personal life of the star cricketer and has since gone viral across social media platforms .

Mahieka Sharma’s birthday celebration: Cake, candles and romance

A video from the private birthday celebration has now surfaced on social media, capturing the couple’s joyful evening at the team hotel. In the clip, Mahieka can be seen cutting her birthday cake while Hardik stands beside her, cheering her on with evident affection. The model looked stunning in an orange-and-pink outfit, perfectly complementing Pandya, who kept it stylish in a pink shirt .

After cutting the cake, Mahieka sweetly fed a piece to Hardik as others in attendance sang ‘Happy Birthday’ for her. The venue was beautifully decorated with red heart-shaped balloons and roses, adding a romantic touch to the celebration that took place shortly after India’s final group stage match against the Netherlands.

Here’s the video:

Hardik Pandya celebrates his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma’s birthday at the team hotel in Ahmedabad#HardikPandya #MahiekaSharma pic.twitter.com/tgBiGWvtj3

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 20, 2026

Ishan Kishan joins Mahieka Sharma’s birthday bash

The birthday celebration wasn’t just limited to the couple. Several Indian team members joined in to make Mahieka’s day special, creating memorable moments of camaraderie. Opening batter Abhishek Sharma’s sister, Komal Sharma, was seen dancing with Team India star Ishan Kishan during the celebrations at the team hotel in Ahmedabad .

A video showing Ishan Kishan and Komal Sharma dancing and vibing to music has also captured fans’ attention. The left-handed batter showcased his dance moves while dressed in classy all-black attire, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma’s sister Komal Sharma dancing together at Mahieka Sharma’s birthday 🔥

Loving this brother sister duo 😅❤️ #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/6W9WXeaYax

— Ayush Cricket (@AyushCricket32) February 20, 2026

Also READ: Hardik Pandya’s romantic birthday wish for girlfriend Mahieka Sharma breaks the internet

Hardik’s performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026

Pandya’s romantic gestures have been complemented by stellar performances in the T20 World Cup 2026. He recently won the Player of the Match award against Namibia, scoring 52 runs and claiming two wickets to help India secure their place in the Super 8 stage with a perfect group-stage record .

Against the Netherlands, Pandya contributed a crucial 30 off 21 balls with three sixes at the Narendra Modi Stadium, helping India post a formidable total of 193 for 6. He also picked up a wicket in that match .

So far in the tournament, Hardik has made vital contributions for the team, scoring 87 runs from four games at a strike rate of 155.53 and claiming five wickets at an average of 22.20 and an economy rate of 7.92.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – R Ashwin reflects on India’s form, highlights bright signs before Super 8

Union home minister Amit Shah (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday trained his guns on Congress over its years in power in Assam, blaming the party for infiltration and alleging that it had “left our borders open to infiltrators” in what he described as an “attempt to alter the demographics” of the state. He also drew a contrast with the current BJP government under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, praising his “work to clear lakhs of acres of land occupied by infiltrators.”Addressing a gathering in poll-bound Assam, Shah strongly criticised the Congress’s record, saying, “Assam was beset by two problems: infiltrators were usurping the rights of the Assamese… These Congress governments left our borders open to infiltrators. Infiltrators continued to enter Assam. An attempt was made to alter the demographics of Assam by snatching away the jobs of Assam’s youth, the food grains of the poor, and the land of the villages.”Shah further praised the Sarma-led government, stating, “In the second five years, our CM Himanta Biswa Sarma worked to clear lakhs of acres of land occupied by infiltrators and remove them. Now, elections are coming for the third time. Form the BJP government here once again. I promise you that we will send back every single infiltrator who entered during the Congress regime.”He also highlighted infrastructure development under the BJP, saying, “Congress ruled for years, but it did nothing for the development of Assam. What Congress could not do in fifty years, we did in ten years. In the last five years, 14 kilometres of road have been built in Assam every day… Almost hundreds of bridges were built, including four major new bridges.”Notably, CM Himanta Sarma was previously part of the Congress government in Assam. After strained relations with the party, he joined the BJP in 2015 and later became chief minister, succeeding his BJP colleague Sarbananda Sonowal.Meanwhile, Shah also launched the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme in Assam, which will cover 1,954 border villages across 15 states and two Union Territories. The launch was held in Cachar district.Earlier in the day, the Union home minister arrived in the poll-bound state on a two-day visit to launch border infrastructure projects and address public gatherings.

(Photo credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: BJP-led central government on Friday slammed Congress and trained guns on leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after members of the party’s youth wing staged a shirtless “despicable act” at the ongoing AI Summit.These remarks came after around 10 Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers were detained after they briefly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Bharat Mandapam’s Exhibition Hall No. 5, police said.The “topless” protest triggered a political war of words, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of orchestrating the disruption.

‘Topless, brainless, shameless’

BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party are traitors of the highest order. The nation’s biggest traitors. Wherever the country progresses, wherever happiness prevails, they will surely spoil it. These are traitors…I have only three words for Congress: topless, brainless, shameless.”“Today, they went topless, brainless. Congress doesn’t have that much wisdom that this AI summit that is going on is not a BJP summit. This is an AI summit of the entire world,” he said.“The Gen-Z will never forgive the Congress Party. I request the Gen-Z to google Nehru, Edwina, and snake. You will see Pandit Nehru laughing calling India a country of snake charmers in front of Edwina Mountbatten and the Britishers. Rahul Gandhi today did exactly what Nehru did then…” he added.

‘Sabotaging India’s global image’

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also criticised the protest, saying, “At a time when India is hosting a prestigious global AI Summit, showcasing its innovation and leadership in technology, the Congress party chose disruption over dignity.”He alleged that the act was “clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage” and added, “Political opposition is a democratic right, but sabotaging India’s global image is not… India deserves better.”In another post, Malviya said, “Narsimha Yadav, one of the main organisers of today’s naked protest at the AI Summit, has pictures with Rahul Gandhi.” “This should leave no doubt that the disruption was not incidental, it was orchestrated. Such theatrics on an international stage only damage India’s image and undermine the very platform meant to showcase the country’s technological leadership. Political disagreements are part of democracy. Embarrassing India before the world is not,” he addedA photograph circulating on social media shows Rahul Gandhi walking alongside Narsimha Yadav, who is alleged to have organised the protest.

‘Congress is an anti-India party’

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also hit out at the party saying, “Congress Party has committed an anti-national act. This was the World AI Summit, led by India. It wasn’t a personal political forum. Just as an anti-national person feels uncomfortable, irritated, and jealous of the country’s prestige, the Gandhi-Vadra family instructed their Congress workers in the same way and committed this anti-national act...”In another post on X, he said Congress workers stormed the venue and raised “objectionable slogans on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi.” He further demanded that “Rahul Gandhi, Congress and Gandhi-Vadra family should apologise to the country and its youth.”

Congress arrogance & frustration on display

Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to “humiliate India.” In a post on X, he wrote, “This is CONGRESS ARROGANCE & FRUSTRATION on display! So, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, humiliating India to target the Government is your idea of opposition!”“While you want to CHOKE India’s development by peddling lies about the recent trade deals, your foot soldiers are marching shirtless at the prestigious AI Summit, attempting to embarrass 140 crore Indians globally. This disruption strategy only exposes your and your party’s lack of vision for India,” he added.

‘Congress party chose the path of disruption’

Highlighting the same sentiment against the Congress party defence minister Rajnath Singh said, “While the entire world was watching India host the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and witnessing our growing global leadership in the fields of technology and innovation, the Congress party chose the path of disrupting the event instead of enhancing the nation’s honour.”“The shameful manner in which Youth Congress workers created a ruckus at the venue by indulging in inappropriate behaviour is not only unfortunate but also an attempt to tarnish India’s reputation on the international stage…” he added.

‘Despicable act’

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Today, the youth wing of the Congress party attempted a shameful incident at Bharat Mandapam. An attempt has been made to tarnish India’s image globally, and we condemn it… Strict action should be taken against those behind this.”Union minister Bhupender Yadav termed the protest “Absolute shamelessness from Congress!” and added, “At a time Bharat is taking strides positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country. This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India’s global image. Despicable.”

What happened at the event?

The protesters had marched inside the venue wearing or holding white T-shirts bearing images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal”, “Epstein Files” and “PM is compromised,” leading to heated exchanges with some attendees.In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress defended the protest, saying its workers were raising their voice against a “compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit.”“Indian Youth Congress workers raised their voice and protested against the compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit,” the organisation said in an official post.“Instead of leveraging India’s talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle – Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased,” it added.“The truth cannot be hidden behind the glittering stage of the AI Summit. When corporate interests are placed above the nation’s welfare and there is visible softness in foreign policy, protest becomes a duty,” the organisation said in a separate post.“That is why the fearless workers of the Indian Youth Congress arrived at Bharat Mandapam.. so that a voice can be raised against the “Compromised PM” and the Modi government is forced to answer for the compromises being made on the country’s honour!” it added.

Oman captain Jatinder Singh exuded confidence ahead of his side’s final group-stage clash against Australia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Speaking to ICC, Singh said, “It is the best time to crush” the struggling Australian side. The 2021 T20 World Cup champions, Australia, had been tipped as favourites before the tournament but have struggled to find form. After a narrow victory over Ireland in their opening match, the Mitchell Marsh-led team suffered back-to-back defeats, losing to Zimbabwe by 23 runs and co-host Sri Lanka by eight wickets. These results have already ruled them out of the Super 8 stage.

Oman, too, have been eliminated from the tournament and are yet to register a win. But Singh stressed that T20 cricket is all about momentum and making the most of key moments, which his team hopes to capitalise on against a faltering Australian side. “It is an opportunity. And our boys are looking forward to it. Because T20, it’s a game of momentum and the moments. If you, I think, play those moments right, you can do anything on that particular day. So Australia is not doing well at the moment,” Singh said. Despite their early exit, Singh emphasised that the Omani squad remains upbeat and determined to leave a mark in their last game. “Even they are also out of the tournament. So the mood in the camp is that the boys are really positive because we tried to play better cricket, but unfortunately, things were not in our favour. But I believe boys are looking forward to the next game against Australia and make a mark,” he added. Australia have now won just one of their three group matches and are already out of contention for the Super 8s.