You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-white-houses-maga-post-gets-pokemons-not-involved-response-11180637” on this server.

Reference #18.c7f5d217.1772866664.7fb37ee6

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.c7f5d217.1772866664.7fb37ee6

US forces have reportedly struck more than 3,000 targets in the first week of Operation Epic Fury, as the conflict with Iran intensifies. “US forces have struck over 3,000 targets in the first week of Operation Epic Fury, and we are not slowing down,” the US Central Command said through a post on X.On Friday, US president Donald Trump also demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” marking a significant escalation in Washington’s war objectives, even as Israeli fighter jets launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Tehran and other parts of the country.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that there “will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”Meanwhile, The Israel Defence Forces on Friday carried out fresh airstrikes on Beirut while issuing additional evacuation warnings across parts of Lebanon, intensifying its military campaign against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.The strikes are part of Israel’s expanding operations in Lebanon as regional tensions continue to escalate.According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, an estimated 300,000 people have fled their homes since the bombardment began, raising concerns about a growing humanitarian crisis in the country.In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Friday also launched another wave of drones and missiles at Israel, according to a statement reported by the Iranian state news agency Islamic Republic News Agency. Air-raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv as the Israeli military confirmed it had detected missile launches from Iran, though there were no immediate reports of major damage.Saudi Arabia and Dubai reported intercepting retaliatory strikes on Saturday morning, as Gulf nations continued efforts to defend against incoming attacks.These developments come after a week of intense volatility triggered by a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other senior officials, prompting a strong retaliatory response from Tehran.Hundreds of people have been killed in Iran since the start of the US-Israeli strikes, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the country’s main humanitarian relief organisation.Among the dead are at least 175 people, including many children, who were killed in the bombing of a girls’ elementary school, the organisation said.The violence has also spread beyond Iran. In neighbouring Lebanon, more than 200 people have been killed, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

Global oil prices surged sharply this week as the war involving Iran intensified raising fears of prolonged disruptions to energy supplies from the Middle East.The spike in prices comes a week after the United States and Israel launched major attacks on Iran, escalating tensions into a wider regional conflict. The ongoing hostilities have disrupted key energy routes and facilities, pushing oil and gas prices higher across global markets.

Oil climbs highest level since 2023

Oil prices continued their rapid climb on Friday, with US crude settling at $90.90 per barrel, up 36% from a week ago. During Friday’s session alone, US crude jumped more than 12% to over $91 per barrel, marking its highest level since late 2022. Since the start of the year, the price of US crude has risen nearly 60%.Meanwhile, Brent crude, the international benchmark, surpassed $94 per barrel, rising more than 9% to its highest level since late 2023. Analysts say the sharp rise reflects growing concerns that the Iran war could trigger a long-term energy supply crisis.

Strait of Hormuz disruption strands oil tankers

The conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage that handles a large portion of the world’s oil trade.Nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day typically move through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets. However, several tankers have been left stranded in the region amid fears of missile and drone attacks, AP reported.The conflict has also caused damage to oil and gas facilities across the Middle East, interrupting supply flows. A report from The Wall Street Journal said Kuwait had “begun cutting production at some oil fields after running out of room to store its bottled-up crude.”Energy infrastructure has been directly impacted as the conflict widens.Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the region, including a drone attack on the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, while also hitting a major refinery in Saudi Arabia and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar.The attacks halted flows of refined products and temporarily took about 20% of the world’s LNG supply offline, according to analysts.Claudio Galimberti, chief economist at Rystad Energy, said the scale of disruptions is growing. “We keep seeing news of vessels being hit or refineries or pipelines, so the list is very long.”He said that around 9 million barrels of oil per day are currently off the market as facilities shut down or producers take precautionary steps. “Right now, with all of this shut in, we are in a situation of extreme deficit,” Galimberti added.

Fuel prices rise for consumers

The surge in oil prices is already pushing up fuel costs for consumers and businesses. In the United States, the price of regular gasoline rose to $3.32 per gallon on Friday, up 11% from a week earlier, according to AAA. Diesel prices climbed 15% to $4.33 per gallon over the same period.Energy markets in Europe and Asia, which rely heavily on Middle Eastern supplies, have been hit even harder. According to Rystad Energy, diesel prices in Europe have doubled, while jet fuel prices in Asia have surged nearly 200% amid the supply disruptions.The conflict has also rattled financial markets. On Friday, the S&P 500 fell more than 1.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 453 points, or 1%. The Nasdaq Composite declined 1.6%.All three major indexes are now in negative territory for the year, with the Dow recording its worst week since April 2025 and the S&P 500 seeing its worst weekly performance since October.

‘The problem is that in oil trading…’

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said American military operations against Iran could last four to five weeks, but added that the United States has “the capability to go far longer.”Trump also appeared to rule out negotiations with Iran unless it agrees to major concessions saying, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”Al Salazar, head of macro oil and gas research at Enverus, warned that the situation may drag on. “The more news we get, the more it seems like this is going to last a really long time.”To help stabilise maritime trade, Trump announced a plan to insure losses of up to $20 billion for ships operating in the Gulf region. The initiative aims to restore confidence among shipping companies and support businesses operating in the Middle East.However, some experts say financial guarantees alone may not resolve the underlying security concerns.According to AP, Amy Jaffe, director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at New York University, said shipping companies remain worried about security threats. “The problem is that in the oil trading, oil shipping world, people are worried about counterterrorism.”“In order for the United States to create the atmosphere that undoes the current bottleneck at the Strait of Hormuz, there has to be some credible demonstration of solutions to the counter-terrorism problem,” Jaffe added.

Pakistan army chief Asim Munir meets Saudi Arabia defence minister (Picture from X)

Pakistan army chief and the country’s de facto leader Asim Munir has met Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Khalid bin Salman amid the constantly evolving situation in the Middle East. The meeting comes days after Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil refinery was hit and after US-Israel joint strikes killed Iran’s Ali Khamenei, triggering Tehran to launch strong retaliatory military actions across the Middle East region and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.The Saudi defence minister shared details of the meeting on X while highlighting Iranian strikes on the Kingdom. Sharing a picture with Munir, he wrote, “Met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defense Agreement. We stressed that such actions undermine regional security and stability and expressed hope that the Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation.”The meeting can be viewed as strategically important. Months earlier, according to a Bloomberg report, Turkey had sought a defence alliance with nuclear-armed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in a triangular form of an “Islamic Nato”, an effort aimed at reshaping security alignments in the now-disturbed Middle East and beyond.

Days ago, when Saudi Arabia’s Aramco refinery was struck by Iranian attacks, Pakistan issued strong reactions, expressing solidarity with Riyadh as well as with other Gulf countries.As tensions continue to rise, with Iran maintaining its missile and drone attacks, questions are being raised about whether Islamabad’s response will go beyond verbal condemnation, given its 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Riyadh.The pact, initially signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September, reportedly states that “any aggression” against one member would be treated as an attack on all, a provision similar to Article 5 of Nato, under which member states commit to collective defence.Talks on Turkey’s possible entry into the arrangement are said to be at an advanced stage, with a deal appearing likely, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. According to the report, the proposed expansion reflects the growing overlap in the strategic interests of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan across South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Will Pakistan step up?

The pact’s collective defence clause treats aggression against one as an attack on both, building on decades of military ties. However, its core provisions focus on conventional cooperation such as joint exercises, intelligence sharing and drones, without nuclear commitments.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pledged “full solidarity” and support for peace efforts rather than military deployment.Experts say sending troops could draw Pakistan into a wider conflict, further straining its fragile economy and security situation.“The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact is more of a political and strategic partnership rather than a classical defence pact akin to Nato. Pakistan has publicly condemned the Iranian attack on the Saudis and expressed solidarity and nothing beyond that. Pakistan in no way will get into any kind of military involvement as it has enough on its hand both externally with Afghanistan and internally with TTP and BLA. This once again exposes the double standards which Pakistani leadership has been exhibiting from time to time,” said Major General Rajan Kochar (Retd).Experts add that Islamabad is more likely to limit its support to diplomacy, logistics or overflight rights rather than sending troops.

Microsoft has now announced that it will continue to embed Anthropic’s artificial intelligence models in its products, despite the US Department of War labelling the startup as a supply-chain risk. According to a report by CNBC, the company has now clarified that its legal team reviewed the designation and concluded Anthropic’s products, including the Claude model can remain available for customers with the exception of Department of War. “Our lawyers have studied the designation and have concluded that Anthropic products, including Claude, can remain available to our customers — other than the Department of War — through platforms such as M365, GitHub, and Microsoft’s AI Foundry,” a Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC.

Political and defense context

This announcement from Microsoft comes after US President Donald Trump directed the federal agencies to drop Anthropic’s technology, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the company would be phased out of Pentagon systems within six months. This decision is followed by a round of failed negotiations between Anthropic and the Department of War over issues including mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. Rival OpenAI quickly accounted that its own deal with the Pentagon intensifying competition in rhetoric defense AI sector.CNBC also confirmed that Anthropic’s models had played a role in recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran, further fueling scrutiny of the company’s defense ties.

Microsoft’s broader AI strategy

Microsoft has deep ties with Anthropic, having agreed to invest up to $5 billion in the company, while Anthropic committed to spending $30 billion on Microsoft’s Azure cloud services. This partnership sits alongside Microsoft’s larger stake in OpenAI, valued at $135 billion, with OpenAI pledging $250 billion in Azure spending.CEO Satya Nadella has emphasised “model choice” as a guiding principle, allowing customers to toggle between Anthropic and OpenAI models in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Anthropic’s Claude models are also integrated into GitHub Copilot, where they are widely used by software engineers for drafting source code.Microsoft’s decision makes it the first major company to publicly affirm support for Anthropic after the Pentagon’s designation. While some defense contractors have already instructed employees to stop using Claude models, Microsoft’s stance signals confidence in Anthropic’s technology for non-defense applications, including productivity tools and developer platforms.

Anthropic becomes first-ever American company to be designated as ‘risk to America’s national security’

Claude-maker Anthropic has been officially designated as “nation security risk” in America, becoming the first US company to get the label. In an official statement, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said that the AI firm now has no choice but to challenge the supply chain risk designation. “Yesterday (March 4) Anthropic received a letter from the Department of War confirming that we have been designated as a supply chain risk to America’s national security,” Amodei said in the statement. “As we wrote on Friday (February 27), we do not believe this action is legally sound, and we see no choice but to challenge it in court,” he added.Anthropic CEO further stated that the language used by the Department of War in the letter (even supposing it was legally sound) matches the company’s statement on Friday “that the vast majority of our customers are unaffected by a supply chain risk designation.” “With respect to our customers, it plainly applies only to the use of Claude by customers as a direct part of contracts with the Department of War, not all use of Claude by customers who have such contracts,” he said.

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, has opened a special exhibition – ‘Colours of Swades: From Haripura to the Constitution’, celebrating the artistic legacy of modern Indian art pioneer Nandalal Bose. The curated showcase, on view from March 9 to April 9, 2026, marks the first time NGMA Mumbai is presenting a dedicated showcase on the influential artist.The exhibition brings together two defining bodies of Bose’s work — the celebrated Haripura Panels of 1938 and his artistic contribution to the original manuscript of the Constitution of India. A disciple of Abanindranath Tagore and later the principal of Kala Bhavana at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, Bose played a crucial role in shaping a distinctly Indian visual language in the twentieth century. His immense contribution to Indian art was recognised with the Padma Vibhushan.A highlight of the exhibition is the display of the iconic Haripura Panels, created for the Indian National Congress session in Haripura under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Executed in bold lines and luminous colours inspired by folk traditions, the panels depict scenes of everyday rural life — farmers, artisans, musicians, women at work and village festivities — celebrating the vitality and dignity of India’s villages.Speaking about the exhibition, Nidhi Choudhari, Director of NGMA Mumbai, said the show traces the artistic and intellectual journey of one of the foremost pioneers of Indian modern art. She says, “This show traces the artistic and intellectual journey of Nandalal Bose, one of the foremost pioneers of Indian modern art. It is particularly special for us at NGMA Mumbai, because the Haripura Panels of 1938 are being displayed here for the first time. The exhibition brings together two defining moments in Bose’s practice – the Haripura Panels that celebrate the vitality of rural India, and his work on the illustrations and visual design of the Constitution of India. Together, these works remind us that during the freedom movement, art was not merely decorative; it played a profound role in shaping the imagination and identity of the nation.” Reflecting on the significance of Bose’s place in Indian art, she adds, “Nandalal Bose occupies a foundational place in the story of Indian modern art. Instead of borrowing from Western academic traditions, he turned inward, drawing inspiration from Ajanta murals, folk traditions, temple sculpture and the rhythms of everyday rural life. In doing so, he created a visual language that was so rooted in Indian civilisation yet profoundly modern in its expression.”The exhibition also explores Bose’s contribution to the visual aesthetics of the Constitution. Working with students from Kala Bhavana, he designed intricate borders and illustrations that accompany the constitutional text, tracing India’s civilisational journey through references to the Indus Valley civilisation, the Ramayana, the Mughal era and the freedom movement.Curated by Shruti Das, Deputy Curator at NGMA Mumbai, the exhibition highlights the intersection of art, culture and nation-building. She said the Haripura Panels represent a landmark moment in Indian art history, noting that Bose created 77 panels depicting potters, weavers, farmers, musicians and wrestlers, bringing art into a public space while drawing inspiration from indigenous traditions such as Kalighat painting, Patachitra and the murals of Ajanta. “The curatorial approach was conceived as a bridge between two important moments in India’s cultural and political history. By bringing these two bodies of work together, the exhibition highlights Bose not only as a master artist but also as a cultural visionary who translated the spirit of India into a powerful visual language. The Haripura Panels represent a landmark moment in modern Indian art. Created at the request of Mahatma Gandhi for the 1938 Congress session, Bose produced seventy-seven panels depicting everyday village life – potters, weavers, farmers, musicians and wrestlers. These works celebrated the dignity and rhythm of rural India and brought art directly into a public space. Artistically, they are significant because they rejected colonial academic naturalism and instead drew inspiration from indigenous traditions such as Kalighat painting, Patachitra and the murals of Ajanta,” she says.Adding a contemporary dimension, the exhibition features immersive digital reconstructions that recreate Haripura village as it might have appeared in 1938. Using AI-assisted animation developed with Mumbai-based filmmaker Ebyug Akhil, the scenes from the panels are brought to life, offering visitors an engaging and experiential way to explore the artworks.Colours of Swades: From Haripura to the Constitution is on display at NGMA Mumbai, Sir Cowasji Jahangir Public Hall, Fort, from 11 am to 7 pm daily (Mondays closed). Entry is free.

NEW DELHI: India’s doctors are raising the alarm over a little-known condition that could quietly rob millions of older people of their mobility and independence: sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss.To tackle the problem, the Geriatric Society of India has released the country’s first “Indian Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Sarcopenia.” The recommendations, developed by experts across multiple specialties including geriatric medicine, orthopaedics, endocrinology, physiotherapy and nutrition, aim to help doctors detect and treat muscle loss early — before it leads to falls, disability and loss of independence.

Sarcopenia, which literally means “loss of flesh,” refers to the gradual decline in muscle mass, strength and physical function with ageing. Doctors say it is often overlooked but can significantly increase the risk of fractures, hospitalisation and even death.The concern comes as India’s population ages rapidly. By 2050, the country is expected to have around 319 million people aged 60 and above, more than one-fifth of the population. Experts warn that without preventive steps, sarcopenia could become a major public health challenge.Studies suggest the condition affects 8–18% of older adults living in the community, rising to 25–40% among hospitalised elderly patients, with higher risk among people with chronic diseases such as diabetes.Dr O.P. Sharma, who led the guidelines, stressed that muscle health is central to healthy ageing. “Strength preserves dignity. Early detection saves independence,” he said, noting that sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition and chronic illnesses are accelerating muscle loss among seniors.The guidelines advise doctors to look for warning signs such as weak grip strength, slower walking speed and difficulty getting up from a chair. Screening tools like the SARC-F questionnaire can help identify people at risk, particularly in primary care settings.Experts say the encouraging news is that sarcopenia can often be prevented or slowed with simple lifestyle measures. Strength-training exercises two to three times a week, adequate protein intake and correcting vitamin D deficiency are among the key recommendations. Doctors also advise including protein sources such as dal, paneer, soy and pulses, especially in vegetarian diets.Dr Raju Vaishya of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said awareness about muscle health remains low. “India is a sarcopenic nation,” he said, citing poor nutrition, inactivity and ageing as key drivers.Dr Randeep Guleria said the guidelines aim to bring muscle health into routine medical care. “They bridge science with clinical wisdom, making sarcopenia visible in everyday practice,” he said.Doctors say early detection and treatment could help millions of seniors remain mobile, independent and healthier for longer, easing the growing healthcare burden of an ageing population.

With defending champions India set to take on New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 8), cricket fans across the globe are eagerly anticipating a blockbuster summit clash. However, as with any major outdoor sporting event, weather remains a topic of discussion.

Is there a reserve day for the T20 World Cup 2026 final?

Yes, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has designated a reserve day for the T20 World Cup 2026 final to ensure that weather interruptions do not unfairly impact the outcome of the championship match.

The final is scheduled for Sunday with the reserve day kept for Monday, March 9. This contingency plan ensures that every effort will be made to complete the match and crown a deserving winner on the field.

What happens if rain interrupts the match?

If rain interrupts play on the scheduled day, match officials will first try to finish the game on the same day by extending the playing window.

ICC regulations allow for an additional 90 to 120 minutes of extra time on the original day to make up for delays caused by bad weather. This buffer gives umpires and organizers some flexibility to restart play once conditions improve.

However, if the match still cannot be completed on March 8, the action will simply continue on the reserve day rather than starting from the beginning.

That means the game will resume from the exact point where it stopped. The number of runs scored, wickets lost, and overs bowled will all remain unchanged. Essentially, the match continues like a paused game rather than being restarted.

To maximize the available playing time on the reserve day, officials may even start the match earlier than the scheduled 7:00 pm IST time.

Minimum overs needed to decide the winner

Unlike group-stage matches, knockout games in the T20 World Cup have stricter rules for a valid result.

During the league stage, a match could produce a result if each team managed to bat for at least five overs. However, in the final, the requirement is higher.

For the T20 World Cup 2026 final, both teams must bat a minimum of 10 overs each for the match to produce an official result.

If rain reduces the number of overs but still allows both teams to face at least 10 overs, the Duckworth Lewis and Stern (DLS) method will be used to adjust the target and determine the winner.

But if the match cannot reach the 10-over-per-side minimum – even after using the reserve day – the game will unfortunately have to be abandoned.

What if the T20 World Cup final is completely washed out?

The biggest question fans often ask during rain-threatened finals is: who wins the trophy if no play is possible?

According to ICC rules for the T20 World Cup, if the final cannot produce a result across both the scheduled day and the reserve day, the title will be shared between the two finalists.

In that situation, India and New Zealand would both be declared joint champions of the T20 World Cup 2026.

This rule ensures that neither team is unfairly penalized by weather conditions during the tournament’s most important match.

Even if not a single ball is bowled across the two days, both teams would still lift the trophy as co-winners.

Weather outlook for Ahmedabad on match day

The good news for fans is that early weather forecasts for Ahmedabad appear promising.

So far, the semi-finals of the tournament were completed without any rain interruptions, and organizers remain hopeful that the final will also take place under clear skies.

Also READ: India or New Zealand? Brad Haddin picks the winner of T20 World Cup 2026

With the Narendra Modi Stadium expected to host more than 130,000 spectators, weather conditions will be closely monitored throughout the weekend.

For the massive crowd expected at the stadium and the millions watching around the world, the message is reassuring: every effort will be made to complete the final.

The presence of a reserve day provides an entire additional day to finish the match if needed. Only if rain completely prevents play across both days will the trophy be shared.

India enter the final as defending champions, having edged past England in a thrilling semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Meanwhile, New Zealand secured their spot after a commanding nine-wicket victory over South Africa, highlighted by Finn Allen’s record-breaking 33-ball century.

Also READ: India’s win-loss record at the Narendra Modi Stadium ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 final

MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s proposed anti-conversion law will render marriages conducted through inducement, deceit or coercion null and void, say sources. In such cases, any blood relative of the affected parties may file a complaint with the district magistrate, who will inquire into the details and then refer the matter to the local police for appropriate action against those involved, the sources said.The draft law, to be called the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026, was cleared by the cabinet on Thursday and will be put before the ongoing legislative session. The sources did not provide clarity on situations where a woman who is not under the age of consent enters an inter-religious marriage with her willingness but with her family opposed to it.Sources said a govt-appointed panel examined Article 25 of the Constitution, which gives freedom of religion, while preparing the draft. The panel examined past SC orders pertaining to this, mainly where it mentioned the protection of individuals from conversion through coercion, inducement and fraudulent or illicit means, along with seminal laws enacted by other states, before finalising the draft law.The new law, once passed, will have an arrest provision with maximum punishment up to seven years and a fine, sources said. They added that the offender will include all those involved in the forcible or deceitful conversion process.The inter-religion marriage was one of the topics raised aggressively by BJP leaders for long, which they termed as ‘love jihad’ by connecting it with the minority community marrying girls from the majority community.Sources stated that the Constitution and Supreme Court orders pertaining to freedom of religion also talk about protecting it and allowing the state to adopt the required safeguards for protection of religion by not allowing forcible conversion, which would be ensured via the state’s proposed anti-conversion law. A source said that a marriage that takes place via conversion with deceitful act, inducement and coercion will be null and void and any blood relatives of the affected “victim” can file a case with the district magistrate who will inquire into the details before reaching a conclusion about whether the marriage had taken place with forcible or deceitful conversion. The magistrate will accordingly refer the matter to the local police, who will then register the FIR for further action in accordance with the new law.