AHMEDABAD: A young woman married for two years called the Abhayam women’s helpline, saying she could no longer live in peace in her own home — not because of financial hardship or marital conflict, but because her mother-in-law had made having a grandchild a round-the-clock project. The mother-in-law was tracking her menstrual cycle, demanding details about her physical relationship with her husband, and pressing the couple to conceive despite their decision to wait until the husband found employment.The woman, in her mid-20s, had already left home and stayed away for close to a year before returning about a fortnight ago. When the pressure started again, she called for help. “The family is well-to-do, but there’s no one who has a job currently. Her father-in-law retired as a senior bank official and gets a good pension. The family owns land and other properties through which they get good income. The woman’s husband is preparing for govt recruitment exams. The couple had decided together that they would start a family once he landed a job,” said a counsellor.However, the decision did not sit well with the mother-in-law, said counsellors, adding that she had her own context for the urgency. “She told us that she and her husband had conceived only after 20 years of marriage, following prolonged medical treatment and ‘blessings sought from every deity possible’. She was afraid her daughter-in-law would miss the window for a healthy pregnancy. She told the couple not to worry about expenses — that the family would take care of everything,” said a counsellor.The concern, however, turned into an obsession, according to the complaint by the daughter-in-law. She said that the mother-in-law demanded minute details about the couple’s physical relationship and monitored her menstrual cycle to advise her on the best days to conceive. The pressure grew severe enough that the woman left home and stayed away for close to a year. Before leaving, she told her mother-in-law to stop pressuring her and to instead speak to her own son about the matter.“She returned about a fortnight ago, and as the pestering started again, she decided to seek help. We counselled both sides, after which the mother-in-law promised us not to harass the woman,” said a counsellor.

The Abhishek Sharma vs Rinku Singh debate broke out ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 Final between the India National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.

Abhishek Sharma is under pressure, and there have been calls for his ouster from the playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand due to his poor form in the tournament. Just before the summit clash, Gautam Gambhir received a direct suggestion.

Big advice for Gautam Gambhir before T20 World Cup 2026 Final

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif believes that the defending champions should not hesitate to make a bold change for the final. Kaif has stressed that explosive batter Rinku Singh could be the surprise entry in the playing XI if the team management decides to rest the young opener.

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Abhishek failed to deliver big runs when India needed them most, amassing only 89 runs, including three ducks, in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. His struggles in crucial matches have made many experts wonder if India should try a different option for the final.

And now Kaif openly said that the shortest format allows teams to take bold calls, especially in knockout matches. He pointed out how the West Indies recently made a similar move by changing their opening combination, and that decision helped them bring fresh energy into the lineup.

Kaif wants India to give Abhishek Sharma a break

Abhishek Sharma said in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “India can give Abhishek Sharma a break. He has played a lot of matches now. There is no harm in making changes. You can make changes in the shortest format.

Roston Chase opened against India as Brandon King was out of form. They backed him for five or six matches, but they gave him a break for a big match. I believe that, like, you brought in Sanju, and he did a great job, so that change worked in your favor.”

Read Also: India stars clash in team bus before T20 World Cup 2026 final

The cricket pandit has noted that the Men in Blue have enough proven match-winners waiting on the bench. He highlighted that Rinku Singh has consistently delivered runs in different formats of the game, whether it is domestic cricket or franchise leagues.

Rinku Singh deserves his chance in India XI: Kaif

His fearless batting style and ability to finish games could give India an extra advantage in the title clash against the Kiwis. Kaif explained, “India has proven players. Rinku Singh scores runs everywhere, be it in Tests, the Ranji Trophy, or the IPL.

Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj also take wickets everywhere. When you look in the dugout to see who can replace Abhishek Sharma, you see Rinku Singh sitting there. So, bring him in. A guy is struggling, and another guy is sitting outside despite doing well.”

At the same time, Kaif feels the team management might continue to back mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy despite his recent expensive spells. The spinner has the skill to trouble batters if he adjusts his line and length at the Narendra Modi Stadium against the Black Caps.

He signed off by saying, “I think they might not drop Varun. They would work on him, and he might change his line in the next match.”

File photo: Union commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI: The US is expected to work out trade deals with partners, including India, in the next three-four months, once it finalises its strategy to deal with the legal issues related to tariffs, a senior govt official said on Saturday.The official said that New Delhi is “staying” with the deal, but the final details will be worked out once there is clarity in DC on how US President Donald Trump intends to impose tariffs going forward after the US Supreme Court struck down the use of International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose additional duties.While Trump has used powers under Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose 10% additional tariff on all countries, he is likely to increase the levy to 15%, which can be in place for up to 150 days. Trump can also invoke other provisions, including some that have never been used, to impose levies on trade partners.The US administration has stated its intent to increase the duty to 15% in the coming days but is weighing the implications on deals such as those with the UK and the EU, wherein it had agreed to lower levies.The official said that India has managed good deals for its farmers, including opening up the market for goods such as mangoes, without making any commitments related to farm or dairy products.Allaying fears over domestic producers of apples and walnuts getting hit under the deal, the official said that the quantities allowed were much lower than what was already being imported and they came with safeguards. Besides, in the case of products such as cotton, Indian textiles industry needed long staple fibre.Separately, at the Raisina Dialogue, commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal asserted that India has secured the best trade deal compared to its rivals. “What’s a trade deal? You are trying to get a preference or a preferential access for yourself, your goods, your services, compared to your competitor. And we got the best deal amongst all competing nations. I mean whether it’s in our neighbourhood, Pakistan or Bangladesh; or if we look at the Asian region, amongst all of the competitors...”

Will Dubai Property Prices Fall? Emaar Founder Gives a Bold Answer

Despite rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns about economic stability amid US-Israel war against Iran, Dubai’s real estate sector remains resilient, according to leading industry voices. Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, recently stated that the Dubai property market has “nothing to fear” even as the region navigates a complex geopolitical environment and prepares for a surge in new housing supply.

Dubai property market confidence amid Iran and US-Israel war uncertainty

The comments come at a time when regional tensions linked to the Iran–US–Israel conflict have raised questions about investor confidence across Gulf markets. Financial markets in the UAE have already experienced volatility following regional security concerns, while analysts have warned that geopolitical risks could test Dubai’s reputation as a safe investment hub.Yet Alabbar remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for the emirate’s real estate sector. He argued that the UAE’s stable leadership, long-term planning, and strong economic fundamentals have historically helped the country weather global and regional shocks. These factors, he says, continue to make Dubai a safe haven for international capital and property investors.

Dubai property supply surge seen as healthy for the market amid Iran and US-Israel war

Dubai is also preparing for a major wave of new property supply in 2026 and 2027, a development that some analysts fear could soften prices. However, Alabbar believes additional inventory will actually benefit the market by stabilizing price growth and ensuring sustainable expansion. Rather than a threat, he sees the upcoming supply as a natural part of the property cycle. According to the developer, the market’s long-term strength depends on maintaining balanced growth rather than short-term price spikes. Recent financial results from Emaar reinforce the positive outlook. The developer reported record property sales and strong revenue growth, driven by sustained demand for residential projects and luxury developments across Dubai. The city’s luxury property segment has also continued to attract wealthy international buyers. Even during regional tensions, high-end real estate transactions have reached record levels, including ultra-luxury apartment sales exceeding hundreds of millions of dirhams.

Global investors still drawn to Dubai despite the Iran and US-Israel war

Dubai’s appeal lies in its combination of tax advantages, modern infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies, which continue to attract global investors seeking stable returns. Analysts note that the city has successfully transformed itself into one of the world’s most dynamic real estate hubs over the past two decades.However, the sector is not entirely immune to risk. Some experts warn that prolonged geopolitical instability or declining foreign investment could slow momentum in the coming years. For industry leaders like Alabbar, the key message is that Dubai’s real estate market is designed for long-term resilience rather than short-term speculation. With strong demand, large-scale infrastructure projects and a steady inflow of international investors, the emirate’s property sector appears poised to remain a cornerstone of the UAE’s economic growth. As Dubai continues expanding its skyline with ambitious developments, from luxury waterfront communities to iconic landmarks, the city’s property market is once again proving its ability to withstand global uncertainty and emerge stronger.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

The final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand has drawn attention across the cricket world, with both teams reaching the title clash after strong performances in the semi-finals following a challenging Super 8 stage. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Earlier this year, India beat New Zealand 4-1 in a five-match T20I series at home. However, the final comes with different pressure. No host nation has won the T20 World Cup so far, and no team has defended the title in the tournament.

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin said New Zealand opener Finn Allen could be a major threat in the final. Allen scored a century against South Africa in the semi-final.“If he (Finn Allen) gets going in the final, he is one player who can ruin India’s party on their home soil. If I was India coming into the tournament, the one team I wouldn’t have wanted to play in the final is New Zealand,” Haddin said on Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.Haddin also said New Zealand would not be worried about playing in Indian conditions. He pointed out that the team has already shown it can challenge India in their home conditions.“New Zealand don’t fear India in home conditions. They’ve beaten them in a Test series here. So if they can go in with that mindset and Fin Allen can play with that freedom as he has, they can put some real pressure on India. I am going with New Zealand,” he added.Former Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon also shared his view on the final and backed New Zealand to win. He said captain Mitchell Santner could play an important role with the ball against India.“I am going to go with New Zealand in the final. The biggest key for India is the way they play Mitchell Santner. He is the captain of the side and has been very economical, especially on these pitches,” Lyon said.

File photo: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday vowed to press ahead with the war against Iran, declaring that Israel has a “systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime” and warning that the next phase of the conflict would bring “many more surprises”.In a televised address, Netanyahu said Israel would continue the campaign “with all our force”, even as Iran launched waves of missiles and drones targeting countries across the Gulf region, reported AFP.“Our success will bring not only the removal of the nuclear threat to the entire world, and not only peace between Israel and Iran. It will also bring a dramatic expansion of the circle of peace around us,” Netanyahu said.“Today, everyone understands that the Ayatollahs’ regime endangers the entire world. In recent days, Iran has attacked 12 countries around it. We stand with them,” he added.The Israeli leader also said many nations were now seeking closer cooperation with Israel as the conflict unfolds.“All of these countries see Israel’s tremendous strength, our readiness to fight the tyrants in Tehran, the bravery of our army and our people, and our vast military and technological capabilities. And many countries are turning to us. I am telling you many countries are now approaching us for cooperation,” Netanyahu said.The Israeli leader also claimed that his country now has near-total control of Iranian airspace. “We have almost total control of the skies over Tehran,” he said, as Israel expanded its strikes on Iranian military and strategic targets.

Heavy strikes as war enters second week

Israel and the United States intensified their attacks on Iran on Saturday, with air strikes hitting several locations in the capital Tehran, including a major oil storage facility that erupted in flames, reported news agency AP.Associated Press footage showed pillars of fire lighting up the night sky as smoke rose over the city. Israel’s military confirmed it had launched a fresh wave of strikes that shook neighbourhoods in eastern and southern Tehran, though it did not immediately disclose all targets.Earlier in the day, an Israeli strike set part of Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport ablaze. Israeli officials said the attack destroyed 16 aircraft and fighter jets stationed there.Israel said other targets included a military academy, an underground command centre and a missile storage facility.

Iran retaliates across the Gulf

Even as Israel stepped up its offensive, Iran continued retaliatory attacks across the region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck the US naval base in Juffair in Bahrain, claiming the base had earlier been used to attack an Iranian desalination plant.Missile and drone attacks were reported across the Gulf, including in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The UAE said its air defences intercepted 15 missiles and 119 drones on Saturday morning. Video footage showed one projectile crashing near Dubai airport.Air raid warnings and explosions were also reported in Jerusalem, Doha and several Gulf cities, while AFP journalists heard blasts in Baghdad, Erbil and Dubai.Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned that attacks would continue against countries seen as assisting Israel or the United States.“Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,” he said. “The heavy attacks on these targets will continue,” he added.

Tehran rejects calls to surrender

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone, rejecting calls from Washington for Tehran to surrender.In a speech, Pezeshkian dismissed US President Donald Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender”.“Iran’s enemies must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” he said, reported AFP.However, Pezeshkian also apologised to neighbouring countries that had been struck by Iranian missiles, saying Tehran did not intend to escalate the conflict with them.“I should apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said in remarks. He also suggested that disputes should eventually be resolved through diplomacy.

Trump warns of tougher action

Trump earlier warned that Iran would face harsher attacks as the conflict escalates.“Today Iran will be hit very hard!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that new targets and groups of people were under consideration due to what he called Iran’s “bad behaviour”.Later, speaking in Florida, he again claimed Iran had been close to developing a nuclear weapon.“They’re crazy and they would have used it. So we did the world a favour,” Trump said.

Conflict spreads beyond Iran and Israel

The war, now entering its second week, began after joint Israeli and US air strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a wider regional conflict.Fighting has since spread beyond Iran and Israel, reaching Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbaijan, while clashes have also extended to waters near Sri Lanka where US forces reportedly sank an Iranian warship, AFP reported.Israel has also intensified air strikes in Lebanon, particularly targeting areas where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has a strong presence.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Lebanon would face a “very heavy price” if Hezbollah is not disarmed.

Rising casualties and fear inside Iran

Inside Iran, damage to infrastructure and residential areas is increasing as the bombardment continues.Iran’s health ministry said at least 926 civilians had been killed and around 6,000 injured as of Friday, though the figures could not be independently verified.Residents in Tehran described a climate of fear as air strikes intensified.“I don’t think anyone who hasn’t experienced war would understand it,” a 26-year-old teacher told AFP on condition of anonymity. “When you hear the bombs, you have no idea where they will hit.”According to AP, the conflict has so far killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 290 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, along with six US troops.

Global markets shaken by escalating war

The widening conflict is also shaking global markets. Stock markets have fallen sharply while crude oil prices have surged amid fears that the war could disrupt energy shipments.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck two oil tankers with explosive drones in the Gulf as part of efforts to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial chokepoint for global oil trade.Analysts warn the conflict could last for weeks, with US and Israeli officials suggesting the war might continue for a month or longer.Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, insisted that the country’s future leadership would be determined internally after Khamenei’s death.“The selection of Iran’s leadership will take place strictly in accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people, without any foreign interference,” he said.

As tensions escalated across parts of West Asia and flight operations in the region faced disruptions, actor couple Ram Kapoor and Gautami Kapoor found themselves in Dubai — a city they know well, but one that suddenly felt unusually still. While news alerts, rumours and worried calls from loved ones poured in, the two say they have chosen to stay calm.Ram, who frequently travels to the UAE, says, “We have a house here, and I come here every two to three months. Gautami arrived just a day before the situation escalated. Our son is away on a school trip, and our daughter is studying in the US, so Gautami decided to join me.”

The couple first sensed that something unusual was unfolding while they were at the Dubai Mall. “We stay in Burj Khalifa. We were at the Dubai Mall and noticed the mall was slowly beginning to close down. That’s when we realised something had happened. Luckily, since Burj Khalifa is connected to the mall, we just took the elevator up to our home. For the next two days, things were largely shut, so we stayed indoors,” shares Ram.Gautami adds, “We came home, and the kids were calling constantly. Everyone was worried because of the rumours that Burj Khalifa had been evacuated. But this is one of the most protected buildings here, and we feel safe.”They admit that Dubai feels unusually quiet right now. “We had never seen Dubai like this. It is always lively with people from all over the world, so seeing it so quiet felt eerie. But hats off to the government for handling things so well. For us, Dubai truly feels like our home away from home,” Gautami says.Ram adds that authorities are keeping residents informed about the situation. “Updates are coming regularly through messages,” he says. While some friends chose to leave the city in haste, the actor didn’t feel the need to do so. “One of my closest friends from my college days in New York was here in Dubai with his fiancée. They were panicking, so they drove overnight to Muscat — about five hours — crossed the border and then flew to Mumbai and from there to Delhi,” says Ram, adding, “We will return to Mumbai as per our plans (WHEN).”

A big update emerged on the departure of the teams eliminated from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 ahead of the big final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Multiple teams have been facing unexpected challenges after the campaign ended in the T20 World Cup 2026. They have been stuck in India for days after their exit from the tournament because global air travel has been disrupted due to the ongoing war between Iran and the USA.

ICC arranges special charter flights for England, South Africa and West Indies

To solve the problem, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a major decision. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the ICC has arranged special charter flights so the affected teams, including South Africa, the West Indies, and England, can finally return home amid the tension in West Asia.

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The move has brought relief to players and support staff who had been waiting for travel clearance after finishing their campaigns. It is being said that England, who crashed out of the showpiece event after their semifinal defeat against India, is expected to leave Mumbai on Saturday, March 7, in the evening.

Their charter flight will take them directly to London, UK. Meanwhile, the South Africa National Cricket Team and the West Indies National Cricket Team are set to travel together on another special flight from Kolkata. Both teams have been stuck in Kolkata since their elimination from the tournament.

Some South African players head to New Zealand

The plan is for them to first fly to Johannesburg before continuing their journey to their final destinations. However, some members of the South African squad like Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith, and George Linde are all set to head straight to New Zealand for an upcoming white-ball series.

South Africa had reached the semifinal stage of the tournament but was knocked out by New Zealand in Kolkata earlier in the week. The West Indies team had already arrived in the city after their final Super Eight match against India.

Read Also: Rinku Singh replaces Abhishek Sharma for T20 World Cup final as Gautam Gambhir handed big suggestion

Another team, the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team, also faced travel delays earlier after finishing their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign at the start of March, although some of their members managed to leave a few days later, and some will leave India as tickets become available.

Ricky Martin, Sukhbir and Falguni Pathak to perform in T20 World Cup 2026 Final ceremony

Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup 2026 final will begin with a grand closing ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The event is scheduled to start at 5:30 PM IST, just before the India vs New Zealand final in Ahmedabad. Nearly one lakh fans inside the stadium are expected to witness a colorful mix of music, dance, and cricket excitement.

The global pop star Ricky Martin will entertain the huge crowd. The celebration will also feature popular Indian singers, including Punjabi music star Sukhbir and famous Gujarati folk artist Falguni Pathak. Pathak, widely known as the “Dandiya Queen,” is expected to bring festive energy with her traditional dance hits in Ahmedabad ahead of the summit clash.