Month: February 2026

Pakistan’s Parliamentary body has raised red flags over what it termed as “unreliable and incomplete statistics” being reported on HIV/AIDS in the nation, cautioning that the country could face humiliation at international platforms if inaccurate data is forwarded to global health agencies, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, the concerns were voiced during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by Mahesh Kumar Malani. Lawmakers scrutinised figures presented by the health ministry and questioned their credibility, describing them as inconsistent with provincial data. Briefing the committee, officials said that the National AIDS Programme spends roughly $300 to $500 per year on each registered HIV patient.

However, PPP MNA Shazia Sobia Somro sharply criticised the ministry’s report, arguing that it failed to account for a significant number of cases across the country. She claimed that approximately 40,000 HIV patients were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2025 alone, alongside around 300 cases in Islamabad and between 7,000 and 8,000 in Balochistan during the same year. Despite these numbers, the federal report listed only 81,000 patients nationwide and omitted detailed data from several regions. She warned that sharing such flawed statistics with international organisations could damage Pakistan’s credibility.

Somro further alleged that the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority had submitted outdated figures instead of updated data when asked to provide fresh statistics. She also drew attention to reports of illegal abortions, claiming they were taking place in as many as 60 per cent of certain cases, raising broader governance and oversight questions, as cited by The Express Tribune.

Responding to the criticism, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said it was unrealistic to expect years of systemic shortcomings to be resolved within months. He added that estimates placing Pakistan’s HIV burden at 300,000 were largely speculative. The minister also disclosed that under the Global Fund framework, 25 per cent of resources are channelled through the government, while 75 per cent are distributed to non-governmental organisations, highlighting structural complexities in the national HIV response, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted how the coming together of India and Brazil strengthens the voice of global south in the international arena. He gave a call for reform of international institutions to address contemporary challenges and affirmed the resolve of India and Brazil to work together in that direction.

He made the remarks during a joint presser with Brazilian President Lula here in the national capital.

“India and Brazil’s partnership on the global stage has been strong and influential. As democratic nations, we will continue to advance the priorities and aspirations of the Global South. When India and Brazil work together, the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident.”

PM Modi also said, “We believe that all problems must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. India and Brazil are unanimous that terrorism and its supporters are enemies of all humanity. We also agree that reform of global institutions is essential to address the challenges of our time. We will continue to work together in this direction”

In his remarks, PM Modi noted that the cooperation in areas of climate resilient agriculture, precision farming, and biofertiliser will strengthen the food security of both the nations.

“The agreement reached on critical minerals and rare earths is a major step in building a resilient supply chain. Our cooperation in the defence sector is also steadily growing. This is a great example of mutual trust and strategic alignment. We will continue to strengthen this win-win partnership.”

PM Modi added, “There is also immense potential for cooperation in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. We will work to increase the supply of affordable and quality medicines from India to Brazil.”

He also noted that the discussions between the two leaders aimed at moving forward across all sectors in the spirit of shared purpose and that the nations are committed for bilateral trade to surpass 20 billion USD in the next five years.

He thanked the Brazilian President for his participation in the Global AI Impact Summit, and also praised his visionary leadership in giving a fillip to India-Brazil ties.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also held delegation-level talks.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, MoS MEA Pabitra Margherita, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal were among those present during the talks.

Earlier today, a ceremonial welcome was held on Saturday at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is on a state visit to India. President Lula was accorded the Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Brazilian President was received at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

He also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Lula’s visit to India follows a July 2025 visit to Brasilia by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first by an Indian prime minister in more than 50 years.

The Brazilian President has arrived in India with large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies. The CEOs are expected to participate in a Business Forum. (ANI)

An intelligence alert has been issued in the national capital following inputs warning of a possible terror threat near the Red Fort, with sources stating that terrorists may target a temple in the Chandni Chowk area.

According to intelligence sources, key religious places, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, remain on the radar of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Inputs suggest that the group may be plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) attack and that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be a potential target.

Sources further indicated that the outfit is allegedly seeking to avenge a February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, and may be planning a major strike in India.

“Blast alert in front of the Red Fort in Delhi. Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk. Lashkar-e-Taiba is plotting an IED attack. They are planning a major terrorist attack in India to avenge the February 6th mosque blast in Islamabad, Pakistan. Major temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba,” Intelligence sources said.

Sources further stated that prominent temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba, indicating that prominent religious places remain on the group’s radar.

This comes in the backdrop of the recent deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort in Delhi on November 10, 2025, which killed 12 people.

The blast, caused by a car loaded with explosives near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, triggered fires in multiple nearby vehicles.

Recently, a Special NIA court at Patiala House Court on February 13 extended the period of investigation for a further 45 days to conclude the investigation in the Delhi blast case of November 2025.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought a 90-day extension to complete the investigation. Meanwhile, the NIA court has extended the judicial custody of 7 accused till March 13. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Friday (US local time) signed an order making 10 per cent global tariff on all countries, effective “almost immediately”.

Sharing the announcement in a post on Truth Social, the US President said, “It is my Great Honor to have just signed, from the Oval Office, a Global 10% Tariff on all Countries, which will be effective almost immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

A White House official stated that this new tariff will remain in place until another authority is invoked, emphasising the expectation that trade partners abide by US trade deals.

The official also advised all the trade partners to abide by the trade deals. The new 10% global tariff is part of Trump’s protectionist trade agenda, aimed at addressing balance-of-payments issues and unfair trade practices.

US President Donald Trump announced 10 per cent global tariffs “effective immediately,” following a major legal defeat at the US Supreme Court.

The 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 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.

“Effective immediately, all the national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing Section 301 tariffs remain in place… Today, I will sign an order to impose a 10% global tariff under Section 122 over and above our normal tariffs already being charged,” he said.

Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and the three liberal justices, held that the IEEPA does not explicitly authorise the president to levy duties–a power the Constitution assigns to Congress.

Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, supporting the administration’s broader interpretation of emergency powers.

The ruling invalidated billions of dollars in “reciprocal” and emergency tariffs, potentially requiring the government to refund approximately $130-$175 billion in collected revenue.

US Supreme Court has held that the US President did not possess the authority under IEEPA to impose extensive import duties on goods from nearly all US trading partners.

Trump has already stated that “alternatives will be used” to replace the tariffs that the court has “incorrectly rejected.”

“Other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected. We have alternatives. Could be more money, we will take in more money… We have taken in hundreds of billions of dollars. We will continue to do so,” he said.

Trump, referring to the decision as “ludicrous”, added that this decision benefits other countries but not the US. He further alleged that the courts are “swayed by foreign interests.”

“Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They are dancing in the streets, but they won’t be dancing for long… Those justices are a disgrace to our nation… The court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think,” he said.

Trump specifically noted that “The India deal is on,” suggesting that recent bilateral trade agreements–including the reduction of reciprocal tariffs to 18%–would be maintained through these new legal pathways.

The ruling is expected to have wide-ranging consequences for global trade, businesses, consumers, inflation trends and household finances across the country.

The financial implications of the ruling are substantial. The tariffs in question cover trillions of dollars in trade, and the US government collected nearly USD 134 billion in levies through December 14 under the contested authority, The Washington Post reported.

US stock indexes rose following the ruling, as investors anticipated a reduction in inflationary pressure, though gains were tempered by Trump’s immediate vow to reimpose new levies.

The administration also launched new investigations into “unfair trade practices” under Section 301, which could lead to more permanent, targeted duties.

Trump emphasised that tariffs previously imposed under Section 232 (National Security) and existing Section 301 (Unfair Trade) remain “in full force and effect,” as they were not affected by the IEEPA ruling. (ANI)

A delivery boy lost his life after being allegedy hit by a speeding car in the Subhash Nagar area of West Delhi in the early hours of Saturday, Delhi police said.

Delhi police said that a delivery boy died after being hit by a speeding car around 3 am in the Subhash Nagar area of West Delhi.

Police have taken the accused into custody and seized the car, as per Delhi Police.

Further investigation is underway.

This comes after the recent incident that took place near Lal Bahadur Shastri College in Dwarka South, where a man was killed in a road accident after a car allegedly driven by a juvenile without a licence collided with his motorcycle. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump claimed India pulled its oil trade with Russia “way back” on his request.

Trump, citing his “fantastic relationship” with India, told reporters at a White House briefing that “India pulled out of Russia. India was getting its oil from Russia, and they pulled way back on my request because we want to settle a horrible war, where 25,000 people are dying every month. My relationship with PM Modi is great.”

Washington had imposed 25 per cent additional tariffs on New Delhi’s purchase of discounted oil from Russia, taking the total tariffs to 50 per cent. A few days ago, India struck an interim trade agreement with the US, taking the tariffs down to 18 per cent.

However US, while removing the additional 25 per cent tariffs, stated, “India has committed to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, has represented that it will purchase United States energy products from the United States, and has recently committed to a framework with the United States to expand defence cooperation over the next 10 years.”

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asserted that India remains firmly committed to strategic autonomy, even as the global energy markets evolve and partnerships shift.

“We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it’s very much a part of our history and our evolution. It’s something which is very deep, and it’s something which cuts across the political spectrum as well,” he said.

Addressing concerns over energy sourcing, the minister described the global oil market as complex and dynamic, stressing that commercial considerations guide procurement decisions.

“As for energy issues, this is a complex market today. Oil companies in India, as in Europe, as probably in other parts of the world, look at availability, look at costs, look at risks and take the decisions that they feel are in their best interest,” he noted.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that “national interest” would continue to guide India’s energy-related decisions, underlining that the key drivers of the country’s energy policy are “adequate availability, fair pricing and reliability of supply.” (ANI)

In a major blow to US President Donald Trump’s signature trade policy, the US Supreme Court on Friday invalidated most of his sweeping tariff measures, The Washington Post reported.

According to The Post, the US apex court held that the US President did not possess the authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose extensive import duties on goods from nearly all US trading partners.

The ruling is expected to have wide-ranging consequences for global trade, businesses, consumers, inflation trends and household finances across the country.

The verdict marks a notable shift from a series of recent wins for Trump at the Supreme Court. Over the past year, the justices had largely sided with the administration in interim orders, allowing policies such as a ban on transgender troops serving in the military, granting the United States DOGE Service access to sensitive data, and enabling significant cuts to the Education Department while legal challenges continued, The Washington Post reported.

The financial implications of the ruling are substantial. The tariffs in question cover trillions of dollars in trade, and the US government collected nearly USD 134 billion in levies through December 14 under the contested authority, The Washington Post reported.

According to estimates by the Tax Foundation, Trump’s trade war will cost American households approximately USD 1,100 each in 2025, The Post reported.

The judgement came days after the United States and India announced that they have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade.

The framework reaffirmed the countries’ commitment to the broader U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025, which will include additional market access commitments and support more resilient supply chains.

A Joint Statement had said that 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.

According to the joint statement, India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and a wide range of U.S. 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.

The United States will apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 percent under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended, on originating goods of India, including textile and apparel, leather and footwear, plastic and rubber, organic chemicals, home décor, artisanal products, and certain machinery. And, subject to the successful conclusion of the Interim Agreement, will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods identified in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners Annex to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025, as amended, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts.

US had earlier imposed 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent tariff for importing oil from Russia (ANI)

Basking in the success of ‘Mardaani 3’, actor Rani Mukerji has described the film’s milestones as “deeply personal”.

The film, which opened in theatres last month, has taken the ‘Mardaani’ franchise forward by becoming the highest-grossing instalment.

‘Mardaani 3’ has collected Rs 47.55 crore in India, surpassing the earnings of the previous films that made Rs 47.51 crore (Mardaani 2) and Rs 35.86 crore (Mardaani) respectively.

It also earned Rs 71.70 crore, beating the previous instalments by a great margin.

Thrilled over having delivered a hat-trick of hits with the ‘Mardaani’ films, Rani Mukerji said, “I have always believed that Mardaani is not just a film, it is a voice — a voice for every woman who refuses to be silenced. The love and success of Mardaani 3 feels deeply personal because it tells me that audiences are not just watching someone like Shivani Shivaji Roy’s journey; they are standing with her for justice, for the victory of good over evil. This franchise stood for courage, for the resilience that women carry within them every single day. I am grateful, humbled, and more determined than ever to continue telling stories that matter,” as per the press release.

Reflecting on the hat-trick of hits with ‘Mardaani’, she explained how the films discusses important social issues.

“It will always be a call to address such crimes head-on and tell us not to look away because it might not be affecting us. Even if one girl is affected, targeted, and attacked, it is the failure of our society that we haven’t been able to protect her,” she continued.

Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, ‘Mardaani 3’ marks the return of Rani Mukerji as the tough and fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy.

The film also features a new villain, with Mallika Prasad as the merciless, evil, and powerful ‘Amma’, she is shown as responsible for handling a beggar mafia, mostly targeting child victims. (ANI)

Hours after the teaser of Yash’s upcoming film ‘Toxic’ was released, actor Rishab Shetty shared his excitement and sent his best wishes to the team.

Shetty took to his X account on Friday to react to the teaser. In his post, he showed his excitement for the film and wished the team well. The actor also sent love to director Geetu Mohandas and referred to Yash as the “Rocking Star.”

“It’s gonna get crazyyy!!! #ToxicTeaser out now! #Toxic in cinemas worldwide from 19-03-2026,” Shetty wrote on X.

The teaser, which was unveiled earlier in the day, opens with visuals that hint at a war, with Yash placed at the centre of the action. The scenes move from a circus-like setting to an East Asian-style backdrop. The teaser suggests that the story moves across different time periods and carries a dark and intense mood.

The first glimpse of the film was unveiled in January earlier this year. The two-minute, fifty-two-second clip offered a striking glimpse into Yash’s intense and enigmatic character as Raya. Set against the backdrop of a cemetery, the teaser opened with a blaze of action, with gunfire cutting through the silence, signalling the arrival of Yash as the composed, fearless, and unflinching Raya with a Tommy gun.

Toxic marks Yash’s return to the big screen after ‘KGF: Chapter 2’. Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is set to hit theatres on March 19, 2026. (ANI)

Sometimes, it is the smallest gestures that convey the deepest emotions. And this time, singer-actor Nick Jonas once again proved why fans across the world call him a total “green flag.”

While promoting his wife, actor Priyanka Chopra’s upcoming Hollywood film ‘The Bluff’, Nick was spotted wearing PeeCee’s mangalsutra as a bracelet. The subtle nod to their marriage caught the attention of fans on social media, with many praising the singer-actor for displaying his unwavering love and respect for his wife’s traditions even years after their 2018 wedding.

The actor-singer took to Instagram on Thursday, where he appeared in full supportive-husband mode. In the clip, Nick Jonas can be seen whipping up a cocktail inspired by Priyanka’s character from the film. “Guys, it is the premiere of Priyanka’s film ‘The Bluff’ on Amazon Prime. It is incredible, I’ve seen it twice,” Jonas can be heard saying in the clip.

Take a look

Soon after the actor dropped the video, fans flooded the comments section, pointing out the mangalsutra bracelet and showering the couple with love. “Oh, he is wearing a mangalsutra bracelet yaar,” wrote one user, while another commented, “Nick jiju is the best.” Several others went a step further, calling him a “green flag” for proudly embracing a symbol that holds deep cultural meaning in Indian marriages.

Nick and Priyanka, who married in 2018 with both Christian and Hindu ceremonies, have often spoken about respecting and celebrating each other’s traditions.

Meanwhile, talking about Priyanka’s upcoming film, The Bluff, it is directed by Frank E. Flowers. Set in the Cayman Islands, the film promises high-octane action, with Priyanka taking on intense sword and gun sequences opposite Karl Urban. The film is slated to release on Prime Video on February 25. (ANI)