Russia on Tuesday indicated that it is ready to support India with energy supplies in case of any disruption arising from the ongoing crisis Middle East, amid increasing global concerns around impact of Gulf tensions on energy supplies and prices. Reuters citing sources said, “Russia is ready to help India with energy supplies in case of disruption due to Gulf crisis.”

The statement comes as India continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East, where hostilities between the US and Iran have intensified, affecting trade, shipping lanes, and energy markets.Iran in its retaliatory strikes has targeted countries across regions including oil refineries and production sites. It has also closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz for all commercial activities, with IRGC warning any ship passing through will be set on fire. Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said India has sufficient reserves of crude oil and petroleum products to manage short-term disruptions. “The trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability continues to guide India’s approach, focused on meeting the energy requirements of our citizens,” Puri told the media.ANI citing sources said, India holds about 25 days’ worth of crude oil and 25 days’ worth of petrol and diesel stocks, amounting to roughly eight weeks of total inventory. Only 40% of the country’s crude imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 60% comes from other sources. Indian energy firms continue to import Russian crude under existing contracts, providing an additional buffer.The minister noted that India has diversified its crude sourcing over the past few years to reduce vulnerability to regional disruptions. Public sector oil marketing companies maintain adequate fuel inventories, and strategic petroleum reserves serve as an extra cushion against potential supply shocks.The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has established a 24×7 control room to monitor fuel stocks and supply positions nationwide. Senior officials and heads of public sector energy companies attended the briefing, which focused on India’s preparedness strategy in light of the Gulf crisis, according to ET.Government sources emphasized that India’s top priorities remain uninterrupted fuel availability, protection of consumer interests, and the well-being of nearly one crore Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf region.“The government remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any potential disruption,” the ministry said, highlighting ongoing coordination with domestic and international partners to safeguard energy security.Middle East on boil: Russia says ready to help India with energy supplies in case disruptions

Hundreds of employees working in technology companies across America have signed an open letter requesting the Department of War (DoW) and Congress to withdraw its designation of Anthropic as a “supply chain risk.” Late last week, Anthropic and the Defense Department failed to reach agreement on a long-term deal for the military to continue licensing Anthropic’s AI models. In an angry post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote, “The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. Their selfishness is putting AMERICAN LIVES at risk, our Troops in danger, and our National Security in JEOPARDY. Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again! There will be a Six Month phase out period for Agencies like the Department of War who are using Anthropic’s products, at various levels.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed up in a post that he would define Anthropic as a ‘supply chain risk’ to national security.The open letter calls upon US Congress to step in against the ‘supply chain risk’ label on Anthropic. It asks Congress to “examine whether the use of these extraordinary authorities against an American technology company is appropriate.” The signatories of the open letter include ‘founders, engineers, investors, and executives’ from major technology and venture capital companies including Anthropic, OpenAI, Slack, IBM, Cursor, Salesforce Databricks and more. Here’s the open letter.Following Anthropic’s exit from the Peantagon deal, OpenAI secured a contract to deploy technology on the US Department of Defense’s classified network. For this, the ChatGPT maker faced a lot of backlash and scrutiny after which Altman has recenlty said that OpenAI is changing its contract with Pentagon.

An Open Letter to the Department of War and Congress

We write as founders, engineers, investors, and executives in the American technology industry. We strongly believe the federal government should not retaliate against a private company for declining to accept changes to a contract.When two parties cannot agree on terms, the normal course is to part ways and work with a competitor. Instead, the Department of War has designated Anthropic a “supply chain risk” (a label normally reserved for foreign adversaries), stating that “no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic.”This situation sets a dangerous precedent. Punishing an American company for declining to accept changes to a contract sends a clear message to every technology company in America: accept whatever terms the government demands, or face retaliation. The United States is winning the AI competition because of its commitment to free enterprise and the rule of law; undermining that commitment to punish one company is short-sighted and antithetical to our national security interests.We urge the Department of War to withdraw its supply chain risk designation and resolve this dispute through normal commercial channels. Further, we urge Congress to examine whether the use of these extraordinary authorities against an American technology company is appropriate.Respectfully,

In the latest shake-up of the international women’s cricket scene, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its updated rankings, highlighting a significant shift in dominance. The Tuesday update reflects the high-octane performances from the ongoing multi-format series between Australia and India, along with crucial ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 matches. Two names have surged to the pinnacle of their respective categories, marking a new chapter for both Indian and Australian cricket as they solidify their status among the sport’s elite.

Smriti Mandhana and Alana King crowned No.1 in ICC Women’s ODI standings

India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings. With a current rating of 790, Mandhana’s steady form—highlighted by scores of 58 and 31 in the past week—was enough to edge past South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. Mandhana’s return to the summit is a testament to her consistency at the top of the order, even as the Proteas captain looks to reclaim her position in upcoming fixtures against New Zealand later this March.

On the bowling front, Australia’s leg-spin sensation Alana King has achieved a career milestone by reaching the top of the charts. King (775 points) effectively ended Sophie Ecclestone’s nearly four-year reign as the world’s premier ODI bowler. Her ascent was fueled by a dominant week where she spearheaded the Australian attack, taking seven wickets at an average of 16.71. Her standout performance of 4/33 in the third ODI against India was instrumental in securing a massive 185-run victory for the hosts, further cementing her status as a big-match player.

Also READ: Top 5 wicket-keeper batters with most runs in women’s international cricket ft. Alyssa Healy

Shifting tides and other rising stars in the rankings

Beyond the headline-makers, the charts saw substantial movement following the conclusion of various international series. The legendary Alyssa Healy bid a fairy-tale farewell to the ODI format, smashing a breathtaking 158 off 98 balls in her final match against India. The Australian captain signed off in fourth place (744) in the batting rankings, leaving a void that younger talents like Georgia Voll are already looking to fill. Voll herself saw a massive 23-spot jump to 34th after a stellar series average of 54.

• Australian dominance: Australia now boasts five bowlers in the top eight, including Ashleigh Gardner (3rd), Annabel Sutherland (5th), Megan Schutt (7th), and Kim Garth (8th).
• All-Rounder excellence: Gardner remains the undisputed queen of all-rounders with a rating of 516, sitting nearly 100 points clear of West Indies‘ Hayley Matthews.
• Indian resilience: Despite a series loss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur re-entered the top 10 for batters, climbing four places to 9th following three consecutive scores of 25+.

Notable gains were also observed in the T20I rankings, where New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr broke into the top 10 (8th) following a strong showing against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Fatima Sana continues her rise in the all-rounder category, moving up five places to 15th after showcasing her power-hitting prowess. As the 2026 season progresses, these rankings set a competitive stage for the upcoming international calendar.

Also READ: Alyysa Healy, Beth Mooney sizzle as Australia whitewash India in Women’s ODI series

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

India’s white-collar job market grew 12 per cent year-on-year in February, driven by rising adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and a recovery in the IT sector, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index report.The index rose to 3,233 points in February 2026 from 2,890 points in February 2025, marking the strongest February performance in recent years, reported PTI. On a month-on-month basis, hiring activity accelerated 23 per cent between January and February, higher than the typical 13–16 per cent rise seen during this period.The IT sector recorded over 6 per cent annual growth in hiring during the month, with freshers’ recruitment rising 8 per cent. India-based multinational IT companies led the surge, posting a 55 per cent jump in hiring, the report said.Within IT, demand for AI and machine learning roles remained strong. AI/ML hiring rose 40 per cent year-on-year, underlining a concentration of hiring in high-skill, high-value segments.The Naukri JobSpeak Index tracks trends in India’s job market based on new job postings and recruiter searches on Naukri.com’s resume database.Freshers’ hiring across sectors grew 17 per cent annually, while demand for roles in the Rs 20 lakh-per-annum salary bracket increased 23 per cent, reflecting strength at both entry-level and premium talent segments.Non-IT sectors also supported overall hiring momentum. Insurance led with 28 per cent growth, followed by BPO/ITES at 22 per cent, real estate at 19 per cent, hospitality and travel at 15 per cent, and retail at 14 per cent.Indian multinational companies expanded hiring by 24 per cent in February 2026.In the IT segment, AI/ML roles sustained a stronger trajectory, rising 49 per cent year-on-year. Indian MNCs increased AI/ML hiring by 82 per cent compared with 43 per cent growth by foreign MNCs, indicating that domestic enterprises are accelerating investments in new technologies.“IT hiring is recovering meaningfully, and Indian MNCs are investing in AI talent at a healthy pace. The underlying momentum heading into the new fiscal year looks genuinely solid,” said Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.

MBSG will play their upcoming home game against Odisha FC on March 5 at an empty Salt Lake Stadium. (Photo/AIFF)

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee has fined Mohun Bagan Super Giants and ordered full stadium closure of the Salt Lake Stadium for using “multiple instances of pyrotechnics” during the season opener against Kerala Blasters on February 14.As a result, MBSG will play their upcoming home game against Odisha FC on March 5 at an empty Salt Lake Stadium.

In their statement, the AIFF disciplinary committee explained that the penalty was imposed for yet another ‘spectator misconduct,’ as the club had been warned and given a suspended sanction of one year in April 2025. Mohun Bagan fans were found guilty of launching fireworks during a home game against Bengaluru FC on April 12, 2025. They were then handed a suspended sentence but were warned that a repeat would invite harsh punishment.After the latest infraction, MBSG were notified on February 16 and allowed time until February 21 to give a written reply. A week later, on February 28, the Disciplinary Committee considered the written and oral submissions and found the club to have infringed on Article 67 of the Code, read with Rules 7.3.8 and 7.5.4 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 League Rules.AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said in a statement, “As per Article 117 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, 2024, any party that feels aggrieved by a decision of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee has the right to appeal to the AIFF Appeal Committee. Such an appeal must be filed in accordance with the procedural rules laid down in the Code.”“Mohun Bagan have sent an email to the AIFF Secretariat this morning requesting the stadium ban be lifted. However, it needs to come through proper channels and procedure as per the provisions of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, 2024,” he said. “Fans are one of the key stakeholders of the game, and we appreciate their contribution. However, at the same time, the security and safety of everyone in the stadium is of paramount importance, and it is something that all parties need to ensure.”

‘Fans deserve better’

Earlier in the day, MBSG said it has accepted the fine and the ban on spectators for its upcoming home game.“The AIFF Disciplinary Committee has charged Mohun Bagan Super Giant over alleged spectator misconduct during the match against Chennaiyin FC. While the Club has responsibly accepted the financial penalty imposed, AIFF has gone to the extreme of ordering a FULL stadium closure for our home game against Odisha FC on 6 March 2026,” Mohun Bagan said in a statement.“We are deeply disappointed with the AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to impose a full stadium closure for our home fixture on 6 March 2026.“While we have accepted the financial penalty in good faith, we believe closing the stadium unfairly punishes thousands of passionate, law-abiding supporters who are the heartbeat of our Club,” it added.The club said that its appeal to reconsider the ban was “in the interest of our fans.” “Football belongs to the fans. They deserve better,” it said.Mohun Bagan Super Giants are currently top of the ISL standings with three wins in three matches, ahead of Jamshedpur FC on goal difference.

Megastar Chiranjeevi showered immense praise on his son Ram Charan’s upcoming film ‘Peddi’, calling the new song ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ sheer fire. The song, featuring Charan’s graceful dance and electrifying presence, has generated significant buzz. With A.R. Rahman’s chartbuster first song and a strong cast, ‘Peddi’ is set for a grand release on April 30, 2026, with expectations soaring.

With the rise of social media, film stars enjoy wide publicity, but they also face new challenges. In recent years, paparazzi culture has grown rapidly, often crossing personal boundaries. As some celebrities invite photographers for promotions, many uncomfortable situations also occurres especially for actresses. Now, Sapthami Gowda, best known for ‘Kantara,’ has openly criticized photographers who shoot and circulate objectionable videos of female artists at public events. She has even started a campaign demanding respect and basic dignity for women in the industry.

Sapthami Gowda calls out inappropriate camera angles

Sapthami Gowda strongly questioned the practice of filming women from inappropriate angles and zooming in on their bodies instead of focusing on their work. In a detailed Instagram story written in both Kannada and English, she said “As women in the film industry, we stand together in addressing a recurring issue. Repeatedly, videos and photographs of female actors at public events are shot and circulated from inappropriate angles, with unnecessary zooms that focus on our bodies rather than our work. This behavior, carried out by a few individuals, is disrespectful and unacceptable. We are here for our craft. We are here for our cinema. We unequivocally condemn deliberate zoom-ins and inappropriate angles. They are clear violations of dignity and will not be normalized or tolerated. We expect those covering events to maintain professionalism, basic respect, and decency. We stand united in setting this boundary. We stand in solidarity with every woman who has experienced this – and we will continue to support one another in demanding respect.”

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Social media support grows

The actress’ post on social media attracted major eye balls because of her courage. Sapthami Gowda said that the journalists and photojournalists covering the story should be professional, ethical, and polite. She also supported every woman who has to endure such incidents. By raising her voice, she has started an important conversation about how female artists are treated in public spaces.

Sapthami Gowda’s strong message

On the work front, Sapthami Gowda is currently seen in ‘The Rise of Ashoka,’ alongside actor Satish Ninasam. After gaining nationwide fame with ‘Kantara’ and later appearing in ‘Yuva,’ she is returning to the spotlight after a brief gap. As Sapthami Gowda navigates her path in cinema, she has shown that she is equally capable of taking a stand on crucial issues related to women in the film fraternity, just as well as her talents handle the spotlight.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reached its business end, and all eyes are now on the blockbuster semi-final between India and England. With a place in the final at stake, the two cricketing heavyweights are set to renew their fierce rivalry in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter. India have displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, while England have relied on their aggressive batting template to storm into the knockouts.

As anticipation builds, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on what could decide the outcome of this crucial contest. Gavaskar believes that two players in particular will hold the key if India are to overcome England and book their spot in the final.

Sunil Gavaskar names two key stars for India in the high-profile game

Gavaskar has pinpointed spearhead pacer Jasprit Bumrah as India’s most vital weapon against England’s explosive top order. According to the former opener, Bumrah must be unleashed early in the powerplay to dismantle England’s batting core.

“I do believe that he should be bowling at least two overs in the powerplay because as a new-ball bowler, if he can get those early wickets — Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook — he will have pretty much broken the back of the England batting,” Gavaskar said.

He further explained that delaying Bumrah’s introduction allows England’s openers time to settle.

“If Bumrah comes in to bowl the fifth over, when four overs have already been bowled and the batters have faced 8-10 deliveries each, they are already set. Wouldn’t it be better for India if Bumrah were to bowl to them first and get them out?” he added.

The spotlight will firmly be on Bumrah when he runs in with the new ball against the likes of Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook — three batters capable of turning the game within a few overs.

Apart from Bumrah, Gavaskar also backed young left-hander Tilak Varma as a crucial figure in India’s middle order. The veteran praised Tilak’s cricketing intelligence and flexibility in the batting lineup.

“I have always thought of Tilak Varma as a very smart cricketer, someone who assesses the situation well and plays accordingly. Down the order at No.5 or 6, he really understands the need of the hour,” Gavaskar remarked.

Referring to Tilak’s recent performance against West Indies, he highlighted how the youngster absorbed pressure and supported Sanju Samson at a crucial juncture. Gavaskar noted that Tilak’s ability to bat at multiple positions — from No.3 to No.6 — gives India tactical flexibility, a valuable asset in knockout matches.

Also WATCH: Axar Patel playfully mocks Sanju Samson after his match-winning heroics against West Indies in T20 World Cup 2026

Fans expect a cracker of a contest at Wankhede

With the semi-final set to unfold at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, expectations are sky-high. The venue is known for producing high-scoring thrillers, and supporters are bracing for another edge-of-the-seat encounter.

The India-England rivalry in T20 cricket has delivered several unforgettable moments, and this clash carries the added weight of a World Cup semi-final. Social media is already buzzing with debates around team combinations, powerplay strategies and middle-order match-ups.

If Bumrah strikes early and Tilak anchors the middle overs, India could well tilt the balance in their favour. But against a fearless England side, nothing can be taken for granted.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Glenn McGrath explains why Jasprit Bumrah will sizzle in India’s semi-final clash against England