World leaders and policymakers reacted quickly on Friday after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority by imposing sweeping global tariffs, a decision that effectively blocks a key component of his trade policy agenda. The ruling has prompted governments and market observers worldwide to evaluate the potential consequences for international trade, economic stability, and future US trade relations. Speaking at a White House breakfa

Tollywood star and Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna has taken a significant personal step by beginning construction of his new home in Hindupur, located in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. On Friday, Balakrishna and his wife performed the traditional Bhoomi Puja ceremony, marking the formal start of the house construction. The actor-turned-politician expressed happiness and emotional connection with the town, stating that Hindupur will now become his new permanent address. Balakrishna has represented Hindupur as a Telugu Desam Party MLA for three consecutive terms, reflecting the strong bond he shares with the people of the constituency. He acknowledged the unwavering support and trust shown by the residents, which played a key role in his decision to build his home there. According to Balakrishna, the people of Hindupur have always treated him as the rightful successor to his father, legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao. Balakrishna also recalled his father N. T. Rama Rao’s historic political victory from Hindupur in 1985, which later led to his rise as Chief Minister. This legacy has added deeper meaning to Balakrishna’s association with the constituency. He expressed gratitude for the continued support of the people and emphasized that building a home in Hindupur reflects his commitment and dedication to serving the community. Despite his active political career, Balakrishna confirmed that he will continue working in films while fulfilling his responsibilities as an MLA. His ability to balance both cinema and politics has made him one of the most influential personalities in Andhra Pradesh. The decision to establish his residence in Hindupur further strengthens his connection with the region and signals his long-term commitment to the people who have supported him throughout his political journey.

​The Supreme Court on Friday invalidated a significant portion of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff program, ruling that the law used to justify many of the import duties does not grant the president authority to impose such measures unilaterally. The decision marks a major development in the ongoing debate over presidential powers and U.S. trade policy. In a 6–3 ruling, the court’s majority concluded that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the statu

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the United States will contribute $10 billion to the newly formed Board of Peace, a central element of his 20-point plan aimed at stabilising and rebuilding Gaza. Speaking at the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington, Trump told representatives from nearly 50 countries that the United States intended to play a leading financial role in the initiative, though questions remain about how the funding will be sourced amid the administration’s

India participated as an observer in the inaugural meeting of United States President Donald Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace initiative focused on Gaza, according to official participant records. The meeting was held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, where India was represented by Chargé d’Affaires Namgya Khampa from the Indian embassy. New Delhi has not formally joined the Board of Peace but attended in a limited observer capacity as international discussions around Gaza reconstruction and regional stability continue to evolve. During the launch event, Trump announced a pledge of $10 billion toward the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, positioning the initiative as a major international effort following the recent ceasefire. Several Muslim-majority countries also committed financial and security support. Leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates each pledged at least $1 billion, according to officials present at the gathering. The White House Press Secretary later stated that total commitments from participating nations had crossed $6.5 billion, a figure that appeared to exclude the separate US contribution. The Board of Peace was convened in the aftermath of a ceasefire agreement reached in October following negotiations facilitated by the United States in coordination with Qatar and Egypt. The ceasefire aimed to halt nearly two years of intense conflict in Gaza. Under the proposed second phase of the framework, Hamas is expected to be disarmed as part of broader stabilisation measures. The current war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which led to a large-scale Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. In a notable development, Morocco announced its readiness to contribute police personnel and officers to the newly proposed International Stabilisation Force, marking what officials described as a first-of-its-kind commitment by an Arab nation in the context of the Gaza peace initiative. The move is seen as part of wider efforts to establish security arrangements alongside reconstruction planning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among several global leaders invited by the US President to be associated with the Board of Peace, which was formally announced as part of the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire framework. India, however, had not been present at the earlier January 22 ceremony in Davos where Trump first unveiled the initiative aimed at fostering long-term peace in Gaza and potentially addressing other global conflicts. The Board of Peace has drawn attention in diplomatic circles due to perceptions that it could emerge as an alternative multilateral platform. Trump has previously suggested that the body “might” replace the United Nations, arguing that existing global institutions have not fully delivered on their mandates. Observers note that the structure, scope, and long-term objectives of the Board of Peace remain under discussion as participating countries evaluate their roles. India’s decision to attend as an observer reflects its cautious diplomatic approach to the evolving Middle East situation. Officials have not indicated any immediate plan to formally join the initiative, but New Delhi continues to monitor developments closely as international stakeholders shape the future framework for Gaza’s reconstruction and regional stability.

New Delhi: Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, has underscored the growing momentum behind trilateral collaboration among Canada, India and Australia in the field of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Solomon described the three countries as natural partners in advancing responsible and inclusive AI development. He noted that Canada and India have both establishe

Heritage Foods has filed a major defamation lawsuit worth Rs 100 crore against Sakshi Media, escalating tensions between the media organization and the business group. The case was filed in the Delhi High Court after Heritage Foods alleged that Sakshi Media published false and defamatory reports linking the company to another dairy entity without sufficient evidence. The company stated that these reports damaged its reputation and credibility, prompting legal action to protect its brand image

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has sparked a political debate after questioning IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s reported travel to Colombo to watch cricket matches. Speaking to the media, Jagan raised concerns about the frequent use of private flights and helicopters by key leaders of the Andhra Pradesh government, including Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh. His remarks have drawn attention to the growin

Canada has announced major changes to its Express Entry immigration system in 2026, introducing new priority categories to attract skilled professionals in key sectors such as healthcare, aviation, research, and defence. The revised immigration policy also includes highly skilled foreign military applicants, marking a significant shift in Canada’s strategy to strengthen its workforce and national security. The government stated that these changes are designed to ensure immigration remains s

Taliban’s newly introduced penal code has sparked global concern after reports revealed provisions that allow husbands to physically punish their wives and children under certain conditions. The controversial law, signed by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and international observers, who warn that it severely undermines women’s rights and legal protections in Afghanistan. According to reports, the penal code

Phillipsburg officials say repair work on several large sinkholes could take days or even weeks as crews continue to assess the extent of the damage and investigate the underlying cause. Local authorities are working closely with engineers and utility providers to determine whether additional ground failures could occur in the affected area. Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. said the town is taking the situation seriously, noting that while the region sits on a substantial limestone deposit wh

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United Kingdom’s handling of the strategically important island of Diego Garcia, warning that London could be making a significant strategic error. In a post on Truth Social dated February 18, Trump said he had advised Starmer that entering into a 100-year lease arrangement concerning Diego Garcia was a “big mistake.” The island, located in the Indian Ocean and part of the Chagos Arc

Denmark’s King Frederik X arrived in Nuuk on Wednesday for his second visit to Greenland within a year, a trip widely viewed as reinforcing unity between Denmark and the semi-autonomous Arctic territory at a time of renewed international attention. The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical interest in Greenland and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States. The royal visit follows talks launched late last month between Greenland, Denmark and the United States aimed

Poland has formally prohibited Chinese-made cars and other technologically advanced vehicles from entering the country’s military facilities, citing concerns over potential data security risks. The decision, announced by the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, is intended to reduce the possibility of uncontrolled acquisition and use of sensitive information by modern automotive systems. According to the Polish military, the move follows a detailed risk assessmen

A fresh political spat has erupted between Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Sakshi, reigniting their long-standing rivalry. Over the years, Sakshi has frequently published critical reports targeting Lokesh, while he has consistently responded with sharp counterattacks. The latest controversy surrounding his private trip to Sri Lanka has once again placed both sides in the spotlight. The issue began after Lokesh traveled to Sri Lanka to watch the high-voltage India vs Pakis

India is set to further restrict water flow to Pakistan ahead of the summer season with the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage on the Ravi River by March 31, 2026. The move comes at a time when tensions between the two neighbours remain high and follows India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack. With the new infrastructure in place, surplus water that previously flowed unused into Pakistan is now expected to be diverted for irrigatio

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a warm invitation to Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral victory, signaling India’s intent to deepen engagement with Dhaka’s new leadership. In a congratulatory letter sent soon after the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, PM Modi expressed confidence that bilateral relations would grow stronger under Rahman’s leadership and emphasized the importance of shared dev

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated bilateral ties to a new level by signing more than 20 agreements across defence, artificial intelligence, trade, skilling, health and critical technologies during high-level talks in Mumbai. The agreements were announced during President Macron’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19, where he is also attending the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Na

Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p

The tragic death of actress Pratyusha, one of the most debated incidents in Telugu cinema history, has finally reached legal closure after 23 years. The Supreme Court delivered its long awaited verdict, ruling out allegations of rape and murder while upholding the conviction of Siddharth Reddy for abetment of suicide. The judgment marks the end of a prolonged legal battle that has remained a topic of public discussion since 2002. Pratyusha, who was just 20 years old at the time, was