French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin a three-day visit to India on Tuesday, with high-level discussions expected to focus on artificial intelligence cooperation and a potential multibillion-dollar agreement involving Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets. The visit underscores the growing India-France relations and reflects both countries’ efforts to strengthen their strategic partnership across defence, technology, and economic sectors. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte

The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India, who was tragically killed in 2023 when a speeding police officer struck her. Kandula, a master's student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 74 mph (119 km/h) in a 25-mph (40 km/h) zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Though Dave had his emergency lights

Valentine's Day, celebrated every year on February 14th, is a day dedicated to honoring love, affection, and the bonds we share with the people we care about. While it is often associated with romantic love, it is also a time to express appreciation and affection for family, friends, and anyone who holds a special place in our hearts. From exchanging gifts to sharing heartfelt messages, Valentine’s Day has become a global celebration of love in all its forms.

US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss a range of strategic issues, with the Iran nuclear deal emerging as a central topic of conversation. The meeting, held amid heightened regional tensions, underscored ongoing diplomatic efforts and disagreements surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme and its broader military capabilities. Following the talks, Trump took to Truth Social to reiterate his administration’s position on nego

A federal judge has sentenced a major fentanyl trafficker to life in prison, concluding a sweeping two-year investigation that dismantled one of the most significant drug distribution networks operating in West Texas. Authorities said the sentence marks the final conviction in Operation Top Shelf, a coordinated law enforcement effort that resulted in dozens of arrests and hundreds of years in combined prison time for those involved. Kurtney Bernard Jones, 38, known by the alias “K

A tragic incident from Uttar Pradesh has reignited concerns over the health risks linked to excessive online gaming after a 22-year-old youth allegedly died from a brain haemorrhage triggered while playing a game on his mobile phone. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on gaming addiction and its potential impact on both physical and mental health, especially among young adults. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Kaif, was a resident of the Khairnagar area of Meerut.

A broad range of American goods, including wines, spirits, dry fruits, technology products and select industrial items, are set to enter the Indian market at zero or reduced import duties under the first phase of a new trade pact between India and the United States. The move is expected to lower retail prices for consumers, expand market access for businesses and strengthen bilateral trade ties between the two economies. Officials from both countries confirmed that they have finalised the framework for the initial phase of a bilateral trade agreement aimed at cutting tariffs and easing barriers that have historically slowed cross-border commerce. The framework will now be converted into a legally binding agreement, with signing expected by mid-March. Duty concessions are likely to come into effect immediately upon implementation, while some reductions will be introduced in stages. Under the arrangement, India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on several categories of US industrial and agricultural goods. These include dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum used for animal feed, soybean oil, fresh and processed fruits, and a variety of tree nuts. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios and certain lentils are among the products that will benefit from lower import duties. Alcoholic beverages such as wine and spirits are also expected to become more competitively priced in the Indian market as tariffs decline. The concessions extend beyond food and farm products. High-end cars and motorcycles, along with aircraft, semiconductor components and specialised machinery, will receive duty benefits. Medical and healthcare products, including select medicines for neurological, cardiac and diabetes treatment, as well as medical devices, diagnostic reagents, pacemakers, imaging equipment, hearing aids and artificial joints, are also covered under the pact. Both sides have agreed to address non-tariff barriers that affect trade flows. India has committed to easing restrictions that have delayed market access for US medical devices and to simplifying import licensing procedures for information and communication technology goods. These products are considered essential for India’s expanding data centres and industrial infrastructure. At the same time, New Delhi said it will adopt a calibrated approach to protect domestic producers, including small and medium enterprises and farmers. Minimum import prices on certain products, such as apples, have been fixed to safeguard local interests. In return, a wide basket of Indian exports will gain duty-free or preferential access to the US market. Spices, tea, coffee, coconut-based products, cashews, fruits such as mangoes, bananas, guavas and pineapples, along with bakery goods, cocoa products, seeds, vegetable planting material and processed foods, are among the items set to attract zero reciprocal tariffs. Officials said the measures could provide a significant boost to India’s agriculture and food processing sectors. Trade experts view the agreement as a step toward deeper economic integration between the two countries, with the potential to diversify supply chains and stimulate two-way investment. By reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, the pact is expected to increase trade volumes, enhance competitiveness and create new opportunities for exporters and consumers on both sides.

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a series of major economic and infrastructure agreements aimed at accelerating Syria’s post-war reconstruction and strengthening bilateral ties, marking one of the most significant rounds of cooperation between the two countries in recent years. Officials said the deals span aviation, telecommunications, energy, and development projects, with billions of dollars expected to flow into key sectors of the Syrian economy. The agreements include the l

On February 6, 2026, a suicide attack rocked the Tarlai Imambargah, located in Islamabad’s Shehzad Town area, during the Friday prayers. At least 31 people were killed, and 169 others sustained injuries in the blast, which targeted a Shia Muslim gathering. The explosion occurred just as worshippers were deep into their prayers at the mosque. Disturbing videos from the site showed severe devastation, with severed limbs and debris scattered across the area. Locals and family members of the vi

India's relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations is evolving into a major trade partnership. In 2024-25, the bilateral trade between India and the six-nation bloc reached a substantial $179 billion, driven by strong exports such as gems, metals, electronics, and chemicals. With an existing free trade pact with the UAE since 2022, and a recent agreement with Oman, India is now focused on formalizing a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the GCC. This new agreement

India and the United States are moving closer to concluding what officials describe as a landmark trade agreement, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar indicating that the final details are being worked out and an announcement could come soon. Speaking at the conclusion of his visit to Washington on February 5, Jaishankar said negotiations had reached an advanced stage and expressed confidence that the pact would usher in a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, achieved a remarkable financial milestone in Q4 2025, surpassing $400 billion in revenue for the first time in its history. The key growth driver behind this success has been Google's expanding AI capabilities, particularly through its full AI stack, with Gemini 3 leading the charge. Sundar Pichai, CEO of both Alphabet and Google, highlighted how the company's growth was primarily fueled by advancements in AI, with Gemini 3 seeing massive engagem

India’s national security advisor Ajit Doval conveyed a firm message to senior United States officials months before the announcement of a new trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington, underscoring that India would not yield to public pressure or coercive tactics during negotiations. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Doval made it clear during meetings in Washington that India was prepared to wait out the current US administration if necessary rather than accept terms it viewed as unfavorable. The visit took place in early September, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling an active diplomatic phase for New Delhi across major global powers. During his interaction with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Doval reportedly emphasized that while India remained committed to reviving trade talks, it expected a more measured tone from Washington and less public criticism that could complicate bilateral ties. Officials said Doval sought to put recent acrimony behind the two countries and expressed interest in restarting substantive discussions on a trade deal that has been under negotiation for several years. At the same time, he warned that India would not be “bullied” by President Donald Trump or senior members of his team, stressing that any agreement must respect India’s economic interests and strategic autonomy. The remarks came months before Trump publicly announced progress on a trade deal with India following a phone call with Modi on February 2. That announcement marked a fresh attempt by both sides to rebuild momentum in economic cooperation after a period marked by tariff disputes and disagreements over market access. Diplomatic observers note that India’s approach reflects a broader foreign policy strategy that balances engagement with firmness. By signaling willingness to continue talks while resisting overt pressure, New Delhi appears intent on safeguarding domestic priorities while preserving its long-term partnership with Washington. The United States remains one of India’s largest trading partners, and both governments view closer economic integration as central to strengthening strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific. The Washington meeting is seen as part of quiet backchannel diplomacy aimed at lowering tensions and creating space for practical negotiations. With both sides now indicating readiness to resume dialogue, officials say the focus will be on rebuilding trust and advancing a mutually beneficial trade framework that supports growth and stability in the relationship.

Russia has said it has not received any official confirmation from India that the country plans to halt purchases of Russian oil, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed New Delhi agreed to scale back those imports as part of a new trade agreement with Washington. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow had yet to hear directly from Indian authorities regarding any change in energy flows. While acknowledging the evolving relationship between the United States a

The tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, have raised serious concerns about the influence of online gaming on young minds. The sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, tragically ended their lives by jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building in the early hours of February 4, 2026. The girls were reportedly addicted to a task-based Korean gaming app, which assigned them a series of challenges to complete. According to their father, Chetan Kumar, he had no knowledge

Federal and local law enforcement leaders gathered Tuesday morning in Dallas to present a unified strategy aimed at addressing violent crime across the city and surrounding North Texas communities. The briefing, led by representatives from the Department of Justice and several investigative agencies, outlined ongoing enforcement efforts and emphasized closer coordination among federal, state and local authorities to disrupt criminal networks and improve public safety. Ryan Raybould, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, opened the press conference by describing violent crime as a top priority for federal prosecutors. He said the Justice Department is working alongside regional partners to pursue cases involving firearms offenses, drug trafficking, organized crime and repeat offenders. According to Raybould, combining investigative resources and intelligence-sharing has already strengthened cases brought before federal courts and increased the likelihood of long-term sentences for individuals responsible for serious offenses. Senior officials from multiple agencies attended the event, including Brian Garner, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Dallas; Joseph Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Jeremy Wright, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; Christopher Altemus, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation; and Major Eric Wilson of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s North Texas Criminal Investigation Division. Each agency highlighted its specific role in combating crime, from targeting illegal firearms and narcotics distribution to tracing financial crimes and dismantling trafficking operations. Garner said the ATF continues to focus on removing illegal guns from the streets and investigating firearm-related violence. Tucker noted that the DEA has increased operations against drug supply chains that often contribute to violent incidents, while Wright emphasized the FBI’s work in intelligence coordination and complex investigations involving gangs and organized groups. Pickard described HSI’s efforts to disrupt cross-border smuggling and related criminal enterprises, and Altemus explained how financial investigations conducted by IRS-CI help uncover money laundering tied to illegal activities. Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux underscored the importance of partnerships between federal agents and local officers, calling collaboration essential to responding quickly to emerging threats. He said the department has seen benefits from joint task forces that allow investigators to share data and conduct targeted enforcement in neighborhoods experiencing higher crime rates. Officials said these efforts are intended not only to make arrests but also to deter future offenses and restore confidence among residents. Throughout the briefing, leaders stressed that sustained cooperation, combined with community engagement, remains central to their approach. They said continued operations, coordinated raids and prosecution strategies will aim to reduce violence, hold offenders accountable and improve safety across Dallas and the wider Texas region.

The Lok Sabha session on Tuesday was thrown into chaos after Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, attempted to refer to an article based on former Army chief M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir. The reference ignited a fierce confrontation between the opposition Congress and the ruling BJP, which ultimately led to the adjournment of the proceedings. The tension arose when Gandhi, speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, insisted on citing an article he claimed was lin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed a significant reduction in tariffs on Indian exports to the United States following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that the two countries had reached a bilateral trade agreement aimed at lowering reciprocal duties. Under the new arrangement, tariffs on Made in India products entering the US market will be reduced to 18%, marking a notable shift in trade relations between the two major economies. The agreement also provide

In a significant development affecting global trade and energy policy, United States President Donald Trump announced a bilateral trade agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a direct telephone conversation on Monday. According to an official post shared by the US Ambassador to India on social media, the leaders discussed a range of strategic and economic issues, culminating in an accord that reduces key economic barriers between the two countries. In his publi

Maharashtra was plunged into deep shock on Tuesday after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was dead in a plane crash during landing at Baramati airport. The charter aircraft, which was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, met with a fatal accident at around 8:45 am while attempting to land. DGCA officials confirmed that there were no survivors in the crash and that five people were on board the aircraft, including Ajit Pawar, three passeng