Month: February 2026

Actor Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday visited Salim Khan at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, showing support to Salman Khan’s family during a concerning time.

Salim Khan, 90, was admitted on February 17 and is recovering slowly. Shah Rukh Khan was seen departing from Lilavati Hospital after visiting veteran Salim Khan, who has been admitted there since February 17.

Salim Khan is a famous screenwriter, actor, and film producer. He wrote the screenplays, stories and scripts for numerous Bollywood films. He is best known as one half of the prolific screenwriting duo Salim-Javed, along with Javed Akhtar.

Together with Javed Akhtar, he revolutionised Indian cinema in the 1970s, creating the “Angry Young Man” archetype and penning blockbusters like Sholay, Deewaar, and Zanjeer.

Earlier, on February 19, Aamir Khan also visited the hospital along with his girlfriend, Gauri Spratt, to check on the senior writer’s health.

Salim Khan, 90, was admitted on Tuesday after he suffered a minor brain haemorrhage. Doctors confirmed on Wednesday that his condition is stable and that he is being kept under close watch in the intensive care unit (ICU). Dr Jalil Parkar clarified that no surgery was performed.

“There was no surgery performed. It was a procedure which we usually do. Yes, he had a brain haemorrhage, which was very minimal, which did not require any surgical intervention.

There was no need for any surgery,” he said, adding that the haemorrhage was “very minimal.”According to an official statement issued by the hospital yesterday, Salim Khan was admitted at 8.30 am under the care of Dr Jalil D Parkar, Pulmonologist, Department of Chest Medicine.

He was brought to the emergency department by the family doctor, following which he was shifted to the ICU for monitoring. Several well-known names from the film industry have been visiting Salim Khan since his admission.

Veteran writer Javed Akhtar was seen at the hospital on Wednesday to meet his longtime friend. Politician Rahool N Kanal and actor Lulia Vantur also paid visits. (ANI)

Actor Hrithik Roshan expressed grief over the demise of veteran filmmaker MM Baig.

In a post on X, Hrithik reflected on the profound and lasting influence his “teacher,” Baig, has had on both his career and his life.

“My dear Baigji, I will forever be grateful to you for being the teacher I so needed at the start of my journey as an actor. You helped me gain confidence in my speech and delivery … you were instrumental in shaping the actor in me. For helping me overcome my shyness, at the same time, empowering my vulnerability. I was lost. And you helped me find my way. Back when I was only 18years old. I still practice the lessons to this day. I will miss you. Rest in peace, my teacher – M.M Baig. My thoughts and prayers for the Baig family,” Hrithik wrote.

MM Baig was reportedly found dead at his Mumbai home earlier this week. He was in his seventies.

As an independent director, he helmed two films, such as Maasoom Gawah (1990), featuring Naseeruddin Shah, which remains unreleased, and Chhoti Bahu (1994), starring Shilpa Shirodkar. (ANI)

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan tied the knot with his girlfriend Sophie Shine on February 21. The couple shared heartwarming glimpses from their wedding ceremony, giving fans a sneak peek into the joyous moments of their special day.

Both Shikhar and Sophie looked stunning in Manish Malhotra’s outfit.

Taking to Instagram handle, Shikhar wrote “Mr. & Mrs. Dhawan”

The pictures captured their happy moments in which the couple can be seen celebrating. In one of them, they can be seen dancing with joy, and another one shows Dhwan putting sindoor on Sophie’s head, marking the traditional wedding ritual.

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and many others congratulated and showered blessings on the newly-married couple in the comment section.

Ranveer wrote, “Congratulations and God bless, Shikhar Bhai!”

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also shared photos from the ceremony with a sweet caption, “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai”

In the photos, the family can be seen enjoying the ceremony.

Shikhar and Sophie announced their engagement on January 12 through a social media post.

The couple shared the news on Instagram with a dreamy picture, by writing a heartfelt caption that read, “From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, the blessings and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever. -Shikhar & Sophie”.

As per reports, Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine have been dating for a while. They also confirmed their relationship by sharing a post captioned, “My love,” with a red heart emoji.

Since then, they often share adorable pictures and reels with each other on social media. Earlier, Shikhar was married to Ayesha Mukherje and had a son named Zoravar. In October 2023, they parted ways after eight years of marriage. During the separation, the Delhi family court granted Dhawan a divorce decree. Dhawan said has not been able to meet his son Zoravar in person for two years since the end of the marriage. He also opened up on his relationship with his son, Zoravar, in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Dhawan revealed that it has been one year since he talked to his little one. He said that it had been two years since he had seen his son Zoravar. He accepted that it’s hard but one learns to live with it.

“It’s been two years since I saw my son. It’s been a year since we talked. Because I’m blocked from everywhere. Of course, it’s difficult. But… You learn to live with it and I miss him,” Dhawan said. (ANI)

Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East), P Kumaran, said on Saturday that Brazil underlined the significant partnership between Brazil and India, with the former being a key member of BRICS too.

Kumaran, while speaking at the Special Briefing by MEA on State visit of President of Brazil to India, said that during the meeting at Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in multilateral fora. MEA’s statement comes as India began the term of its BRICS presidency earlier in the year.

“India holds the presidency of BRICS this year and Brazil is an important strategic partner and a key member of BRICS. During the meeting today at Hyderabad House, PM and President Lula held bilateral conversations and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in multilateral fora, the need to reform global governance and matters of importance to the global south. Prime Minister Modi hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. The state visit gave the leaders an opportunity to review the entire gamut of our partnership, including trade and investments, oil and gas, renewable energy, mining and critical minerals, defense and security, agriculture and livestock, healthcare and traditional medicine, tourism, space, science and technology, including digital public infrastructure, as well as people-to-people relations,” he said.

“The visit is a significant milestone in India-Brazil strategic relations and would add renewed momentum to our strategic partnership elevated in 2006,” Kumaran added.

Kumaran highlighted that India’s trade with Brazil is the largest compared with any other country in South America.

“On the trade front, India’s bilateral trade with Brazil is the largest compared to any other country in South America. It currently stands at USD 15.21 billion. In July 2025, the two leaders had set a bilateral trade target of $20 billion by 2030,” he said.

“However, today the two leaders agreed that the trade should at least double to 30 billion by 2030. India enjoys a trade surplus of about $1.5 billion with Brazil with our exports totaling about $6.7 billion against imports of about $5.4 billion,” he added.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen and diversify trade.

“During the meeting, the leaders also discussed ways to strengthen and diversify bilateral trade, including through expansion of the India Mercosur preferential trade agreement, which currently covers 450 tariff lines. India and Brazil along with other Mercosur countries have agreed to significantly and substantially expand the PTA,” he said.

Kumaran further said that PM Modi and Silva discussed ways to address the relevant tariff and non-tariff barriers.

“Both leaders also discussed ways to facilitate market access and address the relevant tariff and non-tariff barriers. India and Brazil are strong and vocal proponents of south-south cooperation. Both countries collaborate closely across global platforms including in BRICS G20, IBSA and the United Nations. We also collaborate at members of G4 seeking comprehensive reform of the UN security council,” he said.

“Several bilateral MoUs were signed. we have a full statement a joint statement which lists out the various agreements that were signed. Principally they relate to the MOUs between FICCI India and ApexBrasil between Whale Group and Tata Focus and Biocon Pharma and Unica Brazilian sugarcane industries association and Indian sugar and bio energy manufacturing association. President Lula also appreciated the revival of the business leaders forum and he also met with Indian business leaders,” he added.

Kumaran added details of President Silva’s previous visits to India.

“Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in India on February 18, 2026. During the period February 19-20 participated in the India AI Impact Summit. Today, he was given a traditional welcome in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He, alongwith 11 ministers met the Prime Minister and his delegation at Hyderabad House. This is President Lula’s fifth visit to India as President of Brazil. The visit comes seven months after the state visit of PM to Brasilia on July 8, 2025,” he said.

“President Lula had earlier visited India in 2004 as guest of honour for the republic day, in 2007 and again in 2008 to attend the IBSAA Summit and in September 2023 for the G20 Summit. He also visited India in 2012 to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. But he did not hold office at that time,” he added.

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said that the visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was ‘filled with outcomes across all dimensions of partnership’.

The MEA said that the outcomes focus on rare earth minerals, cooperation in MSMEs and more. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he is raising the 10% worldwide tariff on countries announced yesterday “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.”

In a post on his social media handle Truth Social, Trump also said that during “the next short number of months”, his Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue “the extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again”.

“Based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision on Tariffs issued yesterday, after MANY months of contemplation, by the United States Supreme Court, please let this statement serve to represent that I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been ‘ripping’ the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” Trump said.

“During the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again – GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the post added.

In a major blow to Trump’s signature trade policy, the US Supreme Court on Friday ruled against most of his sweeping tariff measures. Trump later signed an order making 10 per cent global tariff on all countries, effective “almost immediately”

.A White House official told ANI on Friday that India is expected to pay this tariff, and this new tariff will remain in place until another authority is invoked, emphasising the expectation that trade partners abide by US trade deals.”Yes, 10% until another authority is invoked,” the White House Official stated when asked whether India will have to pay 10 per cent tariffs and whether they will replace previous tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The official also advised all the trade partners to abide by the trade deals.

The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration exceeded its legal authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose broad-based import tariffs.

Terming SC’s ruling as a “terrible decision”, Trump on Friday announced he would sign an executive order for a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This authority allows for a temporary import surcharge (up to 15%) for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits.

India and the United States had on February 7 announced that they have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade (Interim Agreement). The framework reaffirmed the countries’ commitment to the broader US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, which will include additional market access commitments and support more resilient supply chains.

The Interim Agreement between the United States and India will represent a historic milestone in our countries’ partnership, demonstrating a common commitment to reciprocal and balanced trade based on mutual interests and concrete outcomes, a joint statement said.

Key terms of the Interim Agreement included India eliminating or reducing tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products.

It said the United States will apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 per cent under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended, on originating goods of India, including textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, plastic and rubber, organic chemicals, home decor, artisanal products, and certain machinery. It also said that subject to the successful conclusion of the Interim Agreement, the US will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts.

The US had earlier imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent penalty for importing oil from Russia.

The government said earlier in the day that it is studying the implications of the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs and the steps announced by the President Trump Administration.

“We have noted the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs yesterday. President Trump has also addressed a press conference in that regard. Some steps have been announced by the US Administration. We are studying all these developments for their implications,” the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a brief statement. (ANI)

For weeks, rumours have been swirling that Sargun Mehta and Ravie Dubey are expecting their first child. Finally, on Saturday, Sargun addressed the buzz and denied the speculation, urging everyone to stop spreading baseless news.

Taking to Instagram, Sargun wrote, ” How do you know about a pregnancy that me and Ravi are unaware about? STOP IT .. KINDLY (folded hand emoji). News apparently knows before us about our ‘pregnancy for the last two years.”

“According to them, I have been pregnant. That’s one long pregnancy. Just calm down and stop spreading baseless news. It wouldn’t take much time to ask us or our team if the news is genuine before writing about it,” she added.

“Just CALM DOWN and STOP spreading baseless news. It wouldn’t take much time to ask us or our team if the news is genuine before writing about it,” she reiterated once again.

Ravie and Sargun tied the knot on December 7, 2013. The couple first met on the set of the TV show 12/24 Karol Bagh, where their on-screen collaboration blossomed into love during the shoot.In 2019, they launched their production company, Dreamiyata Drama, which went on to produce popular shows such as Udaariyaan and Junooniya.

Ravie will soon be seen in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming magnum opus ‘Ramayana’. As announced by the makers, Ranbir Kapoor will lead the narrative as Lord Rama, while Ravie Dubey will portray Lakshman.

Yash will be seen as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.’Ramayana’ Part 1 is set to release on Diwali 2026, while the second instalment is set for release in Diwali 2027. (ANI)

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while addressing ‘Punjab Bachao Rally’ held in Amritsar, said that Punjab is not just a state but the soul of India.

The Chief Minister said this is the sacred land from where the message of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ spread across the world from Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is the same place where Jallianwala Bagh still bears testimony to the sacrifices of the freedom struggle. Punjab has given Mother India immortal sons such as Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, and Sukhdev.

He said that raising the slogan of ‘Punjab Bachao’ on such a great land brings pain but strengthens resolve. The Chief Minister said it is time for introspection, whether Punjab’s youth are moving towards a secure and confident future, or being pushed into the darkness of drugs and despair. Whether farmers are breathing a sigh of relief or are burdened by debt and uncertain policies. Whether traders are conducting business fearlessly or living under the shadow of extortion and insecurity.

Targeting the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments, he said that decades of Congress rule weakened Punjab through corruption and lax administration. The drug problem reached every village, but action remained confined to paperwork. Promises of loan waivers for farmers and employment for youth were made, but the expected results were not seen on the ground.

He said that even after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power, people’s expectations have not been fulfilled. Despite more than four years in office, drugs have not been completely eradicated, nor have large-scale employment opportunities been provided to youth.

The Chief Minister demanded that the Punjab Government issue a white paper detailing how many youth were given permanent employment in recent years and what concrete action has been taken against drug trafficking.

The Chief Minister said that in Haryana, Minimum Support Price (MSP) is being provided on 24 crops. Under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated in the budget to provide assistance of Rs 2,100.

In case of crop loss due to natural disasters, full compensation is being given to farmers. He stated that while Rs 1,139 crore was given as compensation during the Congress tenure, the BJP’s double-engine government has provided Rs 15,500 crore to farmers.

He further informed that under the Ayushman/Chirayu Yojana, free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family is being provided in Haryana, benefiting lakhs of beneficiaries. An amount of Rs 4,500 crore has been spent on treatment under this scheme.

In Haryana, Rs 3,200 per month is being given as Old Age Samman Allowance pension. In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab had promised to increase the pension from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, which has not yet been fulfilled.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people of Punjab to give the BJP an opportunity in the 2027 Assembly elections for development, good governance, and security. He expressed confidence that Punjab will play a decisive role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047.

He also assured that once a BJP government is formed, effective control will be imposed on organised crime in Punjab.

On this occasion, BJP leader Shwait Malik, programme convener Sahib Singh Muchhal, Raghubir Singh Chhinda, former MLA Bishan Saini, and other dignitaries were present. (ANI)

The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA), in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), launched an intensive crackdown on food adulteration in Kanpur, resulting seizing of more than 13 thousand litres of adulterated oil and over 1,000 KG of coloured waste.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 13,972 litres of adulterated oil and 1,350 kg of coloured waste. Additionally, officials raided a fake ghee manufacturing unit in Kalyanpur, and goods valued at ₹5.45 lakh were seized. All seized samples have been sent to a laboratory for further analysis, according to an official statement.

This campaign was launched at food outlets across the city as the festival season approaches. FSDA also conducts rapid raids in Lucknow during Ramadan and Holi. The campaign includes surprise inspections of cold storage facilities and dairies. During the raid, 1,320 kg of dates were seized. Along with that, 1,418 kg of coloured Kachri was also seized.

“Action was taken at Swaroop Cold Storage in Aishbagh. An inspection of Himalayan Cold Storage on Ayodhya Road was also conducted, and a raid was also carried out on dairies in the Havetmau area of Rae Bareli Road, with samples also taken from sweet shops. Food items were seized from the warehouse of a businessman in Aminabad. Strict action continues against adulteration ahead of the festivals,” the statement read.

Earlier, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a Comprehensive Online Training Programme on Food Safety Risk Assessment, along with a dedicated digital training portal, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India’s science-based food regulatory framework.

The training framework is aligned with international risk analysis principles while being tailored to India’s regulatory requirements, ensuring both global relevance and national applicability. As food systems grow increasingly complex due to emerging contaminants, antimicrobial resistance, technological innovations, and changing dietary patterns, building institutional capacity for risk assessment is essential to protect public health and ensure credible regulatory decision-making.

A core component of the training was Dietary Exposure Assessment, which was developed with WHO’s technical support and delivered by JECFA (Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives), JEMRA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment), and JMPR (Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues) experts. (ANI)

In a major development in the ongoing probe into threats targeting Bollywood personalities, the Mumbai Crime Branch has issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Harichandra, alias Harry Boxer, a suspected member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, in connection with an extortion threat made to actor Ranveer Singh.

According to officials, Ranveer Singh received a threatening WhatsApp voice note on his manager’s phone number. The sender identified himself as Harry Boxer and demanded a ransom of Rs 20 crore.

Police confirmed that the voice note was sent using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal the sender’s network identity and location. The threatening audio clip has been sent to Punjab and Haryana for verification, an official confirmed.

The Mumbai Police have recorded the statement of Ranveer Singh’s manager as part of the investigation. Authorities earlier confirmed a series of high-profile threats targeting actors Ranveer Singh and Aayush Sharma, with investigators suspecting links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

The developments come amid a broader probe into the January 31, 2024, firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence in Juhu. Police believe the threats may be part of a coordinated intimidation campaign targeting prominent figures in the film industry. The Bishnoi gang had previously claimed responsibility for the firing through a social media post, officials said.

On February 17, five accused arrested in the Rohit Shetty firing case were produced before the MCOCA court after their police custody expired. The court remanded all five to police custody until February 23. The accused- Aditya Gaikki, Siddharth Yenpure, Samarth Pomaji, Swapnil Sakat and Asaram Fasale- were arrested from Pune. In court, Swapnil Sakat alleged that police coerced his statement and forced him to sign documents.

According to Mumbai Police sources, four individuals were involved in the Rohit Shetty firing case: Deepak Sharma, Sunny, Sonu, and one fugitive.

Deepak allegedly fired the shots while the others were present nearby. Sonu had lived in Kalyan for two years and recently returned to his village in Agra, where he was involved in supplying arms and was in contact with the other accused.

Sources said Deepak Sharma allegedly carried out the firing, while the other accused were not present at the exact spot during the shooting but were in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

Mumbai Police’s investigation into the Rohit Shetty house firing case has led to the arrest of 12 accused, including the main shooter, Deepak Sharma. The Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch is handling the case, with sections of the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) invoked.

Further inquiries are underway. (ANI)

Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are set to share the big screen with their upcoming film, which is tentatively titled KH x RK. The makers have released the promo video of the upcoming film on Saturday.

Directed by Dilipkumar Nelson, the film also boasts the soundtrack of the music composer Anirudh Ravichander.

The promo of the film reflected the director’s signature touch, highlighting the humour and quirky charm of Nelson. The clip has a lively interaction between the stalwarts of the Indian cinema industry. The video concludes with Rajinikanth’s swag as he stylishly passes car keys to Kamal Haasan before leaving the building.

Red Giant Movies, the official production house of the film, shared the promo on their X handle. While sharing the video, they wrote “Born Cool. Built Retro. Eternal Swag.”

On the work front, Rajinikanth will next be seen in ‘Thalaivar 173.’ The film is backed by Kamal Haasan and will be directed by Cibi Chakravarti. Rajinikanth was last seen in ‘Coolie,’ directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.

The film, set in the Visakhapatnam docks, follows the story of a former coolie who uncovers a smuggling racket while investigating his friend’s death.

The sequel to the superhit film Jailer, starring Rajinikanth, was also announced last year, adding to the excitement for the fans.

As for Kamal Haasan, the actor was last seen in the film ‘Thug Life’, which was directed by Mani Ratnam. The movie didn’t perform well at the box office. (ANI)