mondAY 23 February, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard Iran on edge students rally for the 2nd day clinical proteas hand surya and co their first defeat of the t20 world cup New anti-govt protests have begun in Iran, witnesses said on Sunday, as university students demonstrated for those killed in a crackdown on recent protests A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS Page 9 l New Delhi l J8.00 l PAGES 12 South Africa brought their A game in Ahmedabad to beat the defending champions India by 76 runs in their first Super 8 clash on Sunday. Batting first, South Africa posted 187/7 despite Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant 3/15, with Dewald Brevis and David Miller scoring fifties. In response, India could only manage 111. The co-hosts will face Zimbabwe next in Chennai on Feb 26 | p11 India delays negotiators’ US Modi lashes at Cong visit amid tariff uncertainty over shirtless protest rajesh kumar thakur India, US trade negotiating teams were to begin talks in Washington on Monday PUSHPITA D E Y @ New Delhi THE scheduled visit of India’s trade negotiating team to the US this week has been postponed in the wake of the US Supreme Court striking down the sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on various countries, said an official with the Ministry of Commerce. The Indian delegation, led by Commerce Ministry Joint Secretary Darpan Jain, was supposed to depart for Washington on Sunday and the three-day talks were to begin on Monday. After final negotiations, both sides were expected to conclude the text of the interim trade agreement. According to the commerce ministry the , decision to reschedule the visit of the Indian team was taken by both sides after assessing the latest developments and their implications for the negotiations. “The next date of the visit to the US is yet to be decided,” said an official. On Friday in a major setback to US Presi, dent Donald Trump, the US Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed by Trump on nations around the world were illegal and that the president had exceeded his authority when he imposed the sweeping levies by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. Hours after the adverse verdict, Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, including India, effective February 24 for 150 days. A day later, he increased the across-the-board tariff to 15%. The US had imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on India in August 2025. Later, an additional 25% duty was slapped for buying Russian crude oil, taking the total tariffs on India to 50%. Earlier this month, India and the US agreed on a framework to finalise an interim trade deal, under which Washington would cut down the reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 18%. The additional 25% penal duty was also removed. Under this plan, the US was to bring down tariff to 18% on Indian exports. However, in light of the Supreme Court verdict, there is a question mark on the effective rate. Trump’s remark that “nothing changes for India” added to the confusion. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had previously said that the interim trade agreement between India and the US was expected to be signed in March and implemented in April. 1 New date after evaluation Sources said the visit has been put off to give both sides time to evaluate the latest developments and their implications. The meeting will be rescheduled at mutually convenient date 2 Confusion over rate Trump’s remark that ‘nothing changes for India’ after the US Supreme Court verdict added to the confusion among Indian exporters about the effective tariff rate 3 ‘Negotiating blocs needed’ Countries affected by US tariffs should form ‘negotiating blocs’ instead of negotiating with Trump, said Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, suggesting ‘unionisation’ of those suffering from US tariffs US must treat all countries equally: Lula E x p r e s s N ew s Se r v i ce @ New Delhi Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday urged the US not to spark a ‘new Cold War’ and called for all countries to be treated equally signalling a desire to reset , relations ahead of his planned visit to Washington next month. “I want to tell US President Donald Trump that we don’t want a new Cold War. We don’t want interference in any other country We want all countries to be treated . equally Lula said at a press conference in ,” New Delhi, where he wrapped up a threeday visit to India. Lula said his agenda would focus on trade, immigration, investment, and academic ties. Relations between Brasília and Wa s h i n g t o n h ave Brazil President Luiz been tense in recent Inácio Lula da Silva months, with disputes ranging from tariffs on Brazilian exports to disagreements on foreign policy . The Brazilian leader, known for his Leftist positions and has often clashed with Trump on trade and foreign policy stressed , dialogue over confrontation. “We don’t want to interfere in any country; we want all nations to be treated fairly he said. ,” In recent months, the Trump administration eased some tensions, exempting key Brazilian exports from a 40% tariff imposed last year. Lula described the thaw in relations as a step toward global stability . Lula’s visit to India also focused on strategic partnerships, with both countries agreeing to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths. The two nations signed a series of agreements covering trade, technology, and innovation during the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. K’taka mulls mobile ban for kids under 16 yrs G ayat h r i M K u r u p @ Bengaluru The Karnataka government is actively considering a ban on mobile phone usage for children below 16 years, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah citing growing concerns over addiction, exposure to harmful content and behavioural issues among minors. Addressing vice chancellors of state universities on Saturday, Siddaramaiah said excessive mobile phone use is increasingly influencing children in negative ways and sought the response of vice chancellors and educationists on prohibiting the use of mobile phones among children aged below 16 years. He said he wanted to know their opinion on whether the curb could bring about a positive change. He cited the examples of Australia and some European countries banning the use of social media by children. He stressed that youngsters were increasingly getting addicted to social media and drugs. The proposal comes at a time when smartphones have become deeply embedded in the education system, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to digital learning. Schools now rely on mobile phone-based platforms to share homework, study materials and announcements. dua at dusk They can’t perform in Parliament and do not allow their allies to speak. By not allowing Parliament to function, it is their allies who suffer Narendra| Modi Thanks INDIA allies The PM thanked other INDIA bloc allies like Trinamool Congress, BSP, and DMK for refraining from “such antics” and criticising the Congress over the Delhi protest. “The allied parties have shown courage to criticise Congress.” F aya z W a n i @ Srinagar PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Indian National Congress, days after a shirtless protest was staged by Congress workers at the AI impact Summit. Addressing a rally in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, which faces Assembly elections next year, Modi accused the Congress of misconduct and said its “unbridled leadership was bent on d a m a g i n g t h e c o u n t r y ’s interests.” Breaking his silence over the shirtless protest for the first time, Modi said, “The sarfira (crazy) and be-lagaam (reckless) leader of Congress is hellbent on destroying the country . I ask Congress leaders that the nation already knows your true form, what was the need to strip further?” He accused the Congress of turning a global event into a platform for dirty politics. He said the party had disrespected a forum meant to showcase India’s technological prowess. Describing the protest as a sign of ideological bankruptcy , Modi sought to draw a distinction between the Congress and its partners in the opposition INDIA bloc. He said no other Opposition parites, including SECURITY forces on Sunday dealt a major blow to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad by killing three of its Pakistani terrorists in encounters in the dense forests of Chatroo in Kishtwar of J&K. The gunfight broke out in the Passerkut area of Chatroo forest after a joint operation by army, police and CRPF acting on intelligence under Operation Trashi-I. Preliminary assessments by security forces suggest that one of the deceased is Saifullah, a notorious JeM commander. He had infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir nearly five years ago and had masterminded a flurry of deadly attacks on security forces, including one in July 2024 that left four soldiers dead. Saifullah had escaped a number of encounters in the past. “Troops of CIF Delta in close coordination with J&K police, and CRPF re-engaged terrorists at approximately 11 am in challenging terrain,” an Army spokesperson said. Two AK-47 rifles and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site. Sources said terrorists were hiding inside a mud house located on the foothills. A trained K9 canine ‘Tyson’ from 2 Parachute regiment (Special Forces) played a key role in locating the terrorists. Troops launched a decisive assault on terrorists’ positions in the mud house, leading to the encounters. Earlier, Norther n Ar my Commander Lt Gen Pratik Shar ma complimented the White Knight Corps troops for their “swift and precise” action to neutralise the terrorists. The maximum temperature range in the national capital is likely to cross 30 degrees Celsius by the weekend, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Meanwhile, the city’s air quality continues to remain in the “poor” category . According to the weather department, the minimum temperature is expected to hover between 13 and 15°C, while the maximum temperature is predicted to range between 29 and 31°C. By the end of this week, the IMD has predicted the maximum temperature to be around 31–33°C. This comes just days after the city witnessed a significantly hot day on February 16, recording the hottest day of the year so far, with maximum temperatures soaring well above seasonal norms. Throughout the upcoming week, the IMD has predicted a mainly clear sky with pleasant mist during the night and morning hours. Meanwhile, the air quality of the city continued to remain poor, with PM Narendra Modi talks to a passenger during a metro ride in Meerut; UP CM Yogi Adityanath is also seen | PTI | P3 the All India Trinamool Congress, the BSP and the DMK had acted in a similar manner. In an apparent reference to a top Congress leader, Modi said: “If you want to sit in the Prime Minister’s chair, first of all you have to win the hearts of the people of this country By send. ing women MPs and capturing seats, you cannot become the Prime Minister.” Further, he alleged that Congress leaders had resorted to personal attacks. “Congress leaders hate Modi; they want to dig my grave,” he said, adding that while political opposition to the BJP and the NDA was understandable, the India AI Impact Summit was not a party event but one where the world was keenly watching the country’s technological knowhow. Midwife dilemma Between tradition and modern healthcare Traditional daayis still conduct home births in cramped settlements of the capital, giving respect to prospective mothers, who are shunned by modern healthcare, even if the practice is not entirely scientific | P4 express read India condemns Pak’s Afghan hit India on Sunday strongly condemned Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory that resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi viewed the strikes as unacceptable and ill-timed, particularly during the Ramadan. India is likely to advance discussions on procuring the Israeli-origin Sky Sting long-range beyond-visualrange air-to-air missile during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel on Wednesday. It is likely to have a range of 250 kilometres and can plug India’s air defence gaps. P7 Temperature to hit 30° by end of this week A D ITI RAY C H O W D HURY @ New Delhi JeM topgun among three terrorists killed @ New Delhi Israeli missile on PM visit agenda A man offers prayers during Ramzan at Jama Masjid Sadar Bazar in Gurugram on Sunday | PTI J&K encounter the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noting an AQI of 229 as of 4 pm on Sunday . The CPCB classifies AQI between 0 and 50 as “good”, 51–100 as “satisfactory”, 101–200 as “moderate”, 201–300 as “poor”, 301–400 as “very poor”, and 401–500 as “severe”. A few days back, the Commission for Air Quality Management revoked Stage II restrictions of GRAP in Delhi and other National Capital Region towns following a slight improvement in air quality levels amid changing weather conditions. This was because Delhi had received light rain during that time.