Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that the India-US trade deal will benefit the people of “two large democracies” and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for reaching an agreement.

Taking to X, Sitharaman said, “Good news for Made In India products. They will now face reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Thanking the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for this development. People of our two large democracies stand to benefit.”

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, also took to social media and welcomed the trade deal between India and the US.

“US and India are world’s largest democracies. Both countries are natural allies. Together, India and US have huge potential to work for peace and development. US and India have complementary strengths. Both countries can co-create technologies and co-develop solutions that will benefit the world,” Vaishnaw posted on X.

“Trade deal between US and India will lead to brighter future for both countries. India-US Trade deal is a win-win deal. Citizens and industries of both countries will benefit greatly from this deal,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Trump said a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the deal, cutting US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent and easing Indian trade barriers on US products.

Trump said India would also stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases of US energy, technology and agricultural products. He said the agreement would strengthen ties between the two countries and support efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

PM Modi also took to X and said, “Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.”

He said that when two “large economies” and the “world’s largest democracies” work together, “it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation”.

Hailing President Trump’s “leadership” in advocating for global peace, stability, and prosperity, the Prime Minister said, “India fully supports his efforts for peace”.

“I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” PM Modi added.

Elon Musk is stirring the pot again with Christopher Nolan! The SpaceX and Tesla chief has weighed in on the latest movie gossip, and, predictably, it has ruffled some feathers.

On Saturday, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent his disapproval over a rumour that Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is set to play Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of Homer’s epic, ‘The Odyssey’.

His comment? “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.”

Chris Nolan has lost his integrity

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2026

The billionaire didn’t just post this on his feed. He responded to a fan’s comment about the casting. And the comment he replied to was… let’s say… eyebrow-raising in its own right.

The X user’s take on Helen of Troy

The fan claimed Helen of Troy was “fair-skinned, blonde, and the face that launched a thousand ships”. They insisted that casting Nyong’o would somehow insult Homer himself despite the fact that the poet has been dead for thousands of years. Oh, and this same fan had a soft spot for Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad. So the thread had a very particular energy.

Musk, ever the provocateur, jumped right into the fray, echoing the fan’s outrage, though it’s unclear whether he was serious or just enjoying the chaos.

Nyong’o has dazzled audiences in ‘Black Panther’, ’12 Years a Slave’, and countless other films. She can embody any role with grace and power.

Elon Musk is not new to making racist claims. His tweets in the past have made several problematic claims against minorities.

Also Read: Robyn, Swedish pop star behind ‘Dancing On My Own,’ says she always hated Elon Musk, way before it was cool

It was supposed to be a dreamy Grammy moment. Flashing lights, a sleek airplane prop, and pop star Sabrina Carpenter floating through her performance like a music-video fantasy. But just when fans were soaking in the drama of it all, one small white bird stole the spotlight and not in a good way. By the end of the night, animal rights group PETA was fuming, social media was buzzing, Sabrina’s Grammys moment had turned into a full-blown controversy.

During her performance of the song ‘Manchild’ at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, the 26-year-old singer leaned fully into an aviation theme. At one point, Sabrina stepped into an airplane prop, adding to the theatrical feel of the act. Then came the surprise element. She appeared holding a white dove on stage.

Also Read: Olivia Dean wins a Grammy and lets a Gen Z rebellion slip quietly onto the world’s biggest stage

The image was striking and symbolic. Doves often represent peace and freedom. But to some viewers, it raised an uncomfortable question. Should a live bird be part of a loud, high-pressure awards show performance?

PETA fires off a furious reaction

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals did not waste time responding. Shortly after the show, the organisation called out Sabrina in a sharp post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Did Sabrina Carpenter really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?!” the group wrote, accusing the singer of “childlike behavior” and urging celebrities to leave animals out of the Grammys.

Did @SabrinaAnnLynn really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?!

The Manchild singer is giving childlike behavior. Leave animals out of the #GRAMMYs! pic.twitter.com/E3fjbe2363

— PETA (@peta) February 2, 2026

The post included a photo of Sabrina holding the dove mid-performance.

PETA didn’t stop there. In another message shared alongside the same image, the organisation referenced lyrics from ‘Manchild’ to make its point even clearer and harsher.

According to PETA, bright lights, loud sounds, and being handled in front of a huge crowd can scare and stress birds. The group said the dove belonged “flying free in the open sky,” not on a Grammy stage.

The tone was blunt, emotional, and impossible to ignore.

Not PETA’s first celebrity showdown

If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. PETA has a long history of calling out famous faces when animals are involved.

Late last year, the group criticised Kim Kardashian for gifting her children North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm some Pomeranian puppies for Christmas. They also slammed Kim’s sister Khloé Kardashian for buying a black Labrador puppy for her kids, True and Tatum.

Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s founder, went as far as calling those gifts “inexcusably callous,” saying puppies are not toys and urging celebrities to adopt from shelters instead.

As her 2001 film Kasoor completes 25 years, actress Lisa Ray is looking back at what she calls one of the most defining choices of her career, a film that quietly challenged the conventions of Hindi cinema at the time.

Also Read: My appearance is not a source of insecurity: Lisa Ray

Taking to Instagram, Lisa shared the music video of Mohabbat Ho Na Jaye, accompanied by a reflective note on what Kasoor represented for her, both personally and professionally.

 

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A post shared by Lisa Ray (@lisaraniray)

A role that marked a turning point

Revisiting her decision to sign the film, Lisa said agreeing to Kasoor felt like stepping into her own strength.
“Twenty-five years of Kasoor. When I said yes to this film, it felt like stepping into my power — quietly but decisively,” she wrote, highlighting the rarity of a layered female character, emotional depth, and a narrative free from Bollywood’s usual song-and-dance formulas.

Also Read: Grammy Awards 2026 red carpet: Bold fashion hits and misses that stole the show

Unlike many mainstream films of the late 1990s, Kasoor leaned into mood and inner conflict rather than spectacle — something Lisa says made it stand apart from its time.

Going against industry advice

The actress revealed that she was actively discouraged from taking up the project, with many warning her that audiences were not ready for darker narratives or strong women at the centre of the story.

“In the ’90s, I was told this film wouldn’t work — that it was too dark, too internal, and that no one wanted to watch a strong female character,” she recalled, adding pointedly, “Well… here we are.”

Also Read: Grammy Awards 2026 full list of winners: Album, record, song of the year and more

Collaborations that mattered

Lisa also expressed gratitude for the collaborators who trusted the film’s quiet intensity. She praised co-actor Aftab Shivdasani for his sincerity and commitment, calling their collaboration deeply fulfilling.

He also took to his Instagram and penned an emotional message for the film.

 

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A post shared by Aftab Shivdasani (@aftabshivdasani)

She further thanked director Vikram Bhatt and the Bhatt family for believing in the film’s emotional stillness at a time when it was far from an obvious commercial choice.

Music that became timeless

Reflecting on the soundtrack, Lisa described Kasoor’s music as eternal, something that continues to live on through memories of love, heartbreak, and youth.

Also Read: Sinners music honours Black voices through blues and jazz; what awards mean for artists rising from oppression

“These songs have woven themselves into people’s lives — first loves, long drives, stolen moments. That kind of resonance can’t be manufactured,” she noted.

A film that quietly shifted narratives

Looking back, Lisa believes Kasoor played a small but meaningful role in reshaping how women could be portrayed on screen. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was purposeful,” she said, adding that the film’s emotional tone and performances are what allowed it to endure.

Most of all, she credited audiences for keeping the film alive in memory. “Strong female stories don’t fade,” Lisa wrote. “They wait. And then they last.”

Also Read: Neena Gupta talks about Masaba Gupta, Vivian Richards and the wedding photo that brought their family together

About the film

Kasoor is a legal thriller that also stars Apoorva Agnihotri, late Irrfan Khan, and Ashutosh Rana. The film is an unofficial adaptation of the 1985 American film Jagged Edge, with its climax inspired by What Lies Beneath (2000).

Also Read: Amaal Mallik reveals how ‘Sooraj Dooba Hai’ changed his career, and why he lost 45 films thereafter

Leading industrialists have welcomed the historic India-US trade deal, saying that the reduced 18 per cent tariffs will help strengthen the strategic and economic ties between the two great countries.

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, wrote in a post on X, “More evidence of the benefits of ‘Making haste slowly.’”

“When the noise subsides, two natural partners will come together,” he posted.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for today’s trade announcement.

“The reduced tariffs will help strengthen the strategic and economic ties between our two great countries and provide additional opportunity for investment and collaboration. We are committed to expanding our presence and investments in the U.S., where we see substantial opportunities for innovation, growth and enduring partnerships”, he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), described it as a “big win for businesses, supply chains and partnership between the two nations”.

“Welcome move for global trade! Congratulations! After today evening’s talks between the US President and the Indian Prime Minister, tariffs on Indian goods coming down sharply from 50 per cent to 18 per cent with immediate effect. A big win for businesses, supply chains, and the India–US partnership. Kudos to the teams involved in bringing this historic deal to a close”, he noted.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that ‘Made in India’ products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent, as US President Donald Trump said India and the United States had reached a trade deal. PM Modi posted on X that it was “wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today”.

“When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace,” PM Modi stated.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday welcomed the India-US trade deal and said that it will benefit and further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Taking to X, HM Shah said, “A big day for India-US relations as the trade deal has been locked with a significantly reduced tariff of 18 per cent, paving the way for stronger trade ties and mutual growth. I congratulate PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump for this historic deal, which will elevate our strategic partnership and greatly benefit both nations and their people. Business between India and US set to flourish further.”

Nadda also took to X and hailed the Prime Minister’s leadership and said that under him, the country’s economy has gained new “global confidence and momentum”.

“Under Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji’s guidance, India’s economic journey has entered a new phase of global confidence and momentum. The expanded international market for Made in India products will empower our youth and farmers alike. A robust India–US partnership promises benefits that go far beyond our borders,” he said.

India and the US reached a trade deal on Monday following a phone call between PM Modi and President Trump, cutting US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent and easing Indian trade barriers on US products.

PM Modi also took to X and said, “Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.”

He said that when two “large economies” and the “world’s largest democracies” work together, “it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation”.

Hailing President Trump’s “leadership” in advocating for global peace, stability, and prosperity, the Prime Minister said, “India fully supports his efforts for peace”.

“I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” PM Modi added.

In a fresh turn in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into a crime that had deeply unsettled Uttarakhand. The CBI’s Delhi-based Special Crime Branch has also registered a case against an “unknown VIP” in connection with the matter.

Two members of the CBI team reached Uttarakhand late on Monday to begin a detailed inquiry into the alleged VIP angle linked to the killing of the 19-year-old. Ankita Bhandari was working as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh at the time of her death.

The case returned to the public attention after audio and video clips involving former BJP legislator Suresh Rathore and his alleged wife, Urmila Sanawar, mentioned the involvement of a “VIP”.

Her remarks were followed by political reactions, with opposition parties and several organisations reiterating their demand for a CBI investigation.

As pressure mounted, the Uttarakhand government moved to transfer the probe to the central agency. On January 9, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally recommended a CBI investigation.

The state government has said that uncovering the complete truth remains its top priority and that no one, regardless of power or position, would be allowed to evade the law.

Ankita Bhandari was murdered on September 18, 2022. There was widespread anger and protests over the case in Uttarakhand.

Her body was recovered nearly a week later from the Chilla Shakti Canal, where it had been dumped.

The case was earlier investigated by a Special Investigation Team, which filed a chargesheet running over 500 pages and listed 97 witnesses. Forty-seven of them were examined during the trial.

Pulkit Arya, the owner of the Vanantra Resort, along with co-accused Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In Bollywood, a hit song usually means fame, money, parties, power. But what if the song earns crores and the person who created it is left with almost nothing? That uncomfortable question is back in the spotlight, thanks to music composer and singer Amaal Mallik, who has once again spoken about how the Hindi film music industry really works.

“Sooraj Dooba Hai,” the peppy romantic song from the 2015 film ‘Roy’, was everywhere when it released. It played at weddings, clubs, road trips, radio stations for years. The song helped define Amaal Mallik’s early career and became chartbuster loved by millions.

But behind the catchy tune and smooth vocals was a harsh reality.

In recent interview with Pinkvilla, Amaal revealed that the song was made on a budget of just Rs 8-9 lakh. Yet, over time, it reportedly earned Rs 60-70 crore for the music label.

Also Read: Amaal Mallik reveals how religious differences affected his past relationship

And Amaal?

“I got nothing,” he said bluntly. Except for some publishing rights that, according to him, are “negligible” and not even close to Rs 1 crore.

“I want to make that kind of money to help people,” he said. “That money can only come if I have rights or equal rights or some kind of right, jo film music mein nahi milta hai.”

In very simple terms, Amaal is saying this: If creators had fair rights, they could earn fairly. And if they earned fairly, they could give back more.

He even shared a deeply personal detail to underline his point.

“Sixteen years later, I just bought a car for myself,” he said. “Never did anything for myself. It was always people around me.”

Speaking up comes at a price for Amaal Mallik

Honesty is expensive in Bollywood. Amaal admitted that taking strong stands has repeatedly hurt him professionally.

“There was a time when I was working on a film in the morning,” he said, “and by evening, we were fighting a court case.”

He also revealed a stunning number: “In the last five years, I was dropped from 40 to 45 films.”

That is not a small loss. That is a career-altering blow.

US Senator Lindsey Graham on Monday said India has “earned” the tariff reduction announced under the new India-US trade deal, linking it to New Delhi’s recalibration of Russian oil purchases as the war in Ukraine will enter its fifth year on Feb 24, 2026.

In a post on X, Graham credited US President Donald Trump’s strategy, saying economic pressure on countries buying Russian energy appears to be working. He pointed to the recent trade agreement with India, under which Washington lowered reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent.

“Well played, President Trump. I think your message about ending this war—by having Putin’s customers who prop up his war machine recalculate—is working,” Graham said.

The Senator claimed that India’s conduct justified the tariff reduction and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit.

“Through their behaviour, India has more than earned this reduction. I’m hoping that the other big nations that buy Russian oil will follow India’s direction,” Graham added.

Linking the trade decision to broader geopolitical objectives, Graham said Russian President Vladimir Putin would only come to the negotiating table when pressure intensifies.

“Putin will only come to the table when the pain is so great. We’re not there yet, but with India’s actions, we are moving closer. End the bloodbath in Ukraine now,” he said.

His remarks came after President Trump earlier in the day announced that the US and India had agreed to a trade deal, reducing reciprocal tariffs from 25 per cent to 18 per cent “out of friendship and respect” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The announcement ended nearly 11 months of uncertainty that had pushed bilateral trade relations to their lowest point in over two decades. Under the historic agreement, the United States will reduce tariffs on Indian goods from as high as 50 per cent to 18 per cent.

India and the United States said the agreement would provide immediate relief to Indian exporters. President Trump confirmed the development, stating, “We agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. They will likewise move forward to reduce their tariffs and non-tariff barriers against the United States to zero.”

The tariff reduction is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods in the US market, enhance order visibility, ease margin pressures, and support stronger pricing power for export-oriented sectors.

India and the United States announced a historic trade deal last night, with a massive reduction in tariffs on India from the earlier 50 per cent to 18 per cent. The new India-US trade deal would be a major game-changer for the competitiveness of Indian exports of ‘made in India’ goods. It will boost the country’s manufacturing sector as it expands its global market access with a lower tariff burden.

Under the India-US trade deal, sectors such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, leather products, gems, and agricultural products are expected to benefit significantly.

The deal is likely to lead to an immediate and extensive release of pending orders that were earlier put on hold, predominantly in labour-intensive sectors like apparel, jewellery, and footwear.

The tariff rationalisation is expected to push these sectors with strong acceleration in export growth in the coming months. Lower tariffs will not only improve price competitiveness but also help Indian exporters fit in and expand into the supply chain network of the United States.

As per the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the India-US trade agreement reflects the strengthening strategic and economic ties between India and the United States and opens vast opportunities for Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs. SC Ralhan, President, FIEO, said that the deal would improve the competitiveness of Indian products in the US market and provide a strong impetus to India’s export growth across sectors. This agreement will encourage capacity expansion, attract fresh investments, and support job creation in export-oriented industries, he added.

“This agreement sends a strong signal to global markets about India’s commitment to free, fair, and rules-based trade. FIEO remains confident that this development will help India achieve its long-term export targets and further strengthen India’s position as a reliable global trading partner,” Ralhan noted.

This historic announcement brings an end to the 11-month-long uncertainty that had adversely affected the bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Just when Bollywood gossip mills were getting restless, Ranveer Singh dropped a fiery surprise on Tuesday morning and the internet instantly woke up. One poster. One caption. One promise of revenge. And suddenly, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ was no longer a rumour but a full-blown storm.

After weeks of quiet buzz and whispered guesses, the promotions for the sequel have officially begun. Ranveer revealed the first look of the film and confirmed its final title: ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’.

And judging by that intense poster, this is not going to be a calm ride.

 

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A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh)

Ranveer Singh’s first look sets the mood

Ranveer took to Instagram early Tuesday to share his look as Hamza, also known as Jaskirat, from the upcoming sequel. The poster shows him standing in heavy rain, fists clenched, staring straight into the camera. Everything around him is soaked in deep red light giving the image a dark and angry feel.

Behind him, the title ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ looms large. It’s bold. It’s loud. And it clearly means business.

In the caption, Ranveer wrote, “Ab bigadne ka waqt aa gaya hai” hinting that his character is ready to cross limits this time. Fans immediately picked up on the message that Hamza is not holding back anymore.

Teaser timing and release date revealed

Ranveer didn’t stop at just the poster. He also confirmed when fans can expect their first moving glimpse of the film.

The teaser will be released at 12:12 PM on Tuesday, adding a dramatic touch to the announcement. The film itself is set to hit theatres worldwide on March 19, 2026.

The movie will release in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Another detail that fans loved was Ranveer sharing the poster in five different languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. It’s a clear signal that ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ is aiming for massive pan-India and global audience.

Akshaye Khanna’s quiet return raises eyebrows

But here’s where the gossip really kicked in.

While tagging the cast in his post, Ranveer also tagged Akshaye Khanna. This instantly caught fans’ attention because Akshaye played the villain Rehman Dakait in the first film and his character died in the climax.

So why tag him now?

Also Read: Dhurandhar 2: Akshaye Khanna not shooting new scenes; Aditya Dhar finalises trailer ahead of March 19 release

Industry buzz suggests Akshaye may return through flashback scenes possibly revealing hidden layers of the story. Nothing is officially confirmed yet. But the tag alone was enough to send fans into theory mode.

Why Dhurandhar became a blockbuster

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the first ‘Dhurandhar’ released on December 5 and turned into a monster hit. The spy thriller followed Ranveer’s character as an Indian agent who infiltrates Karachi’s underworld and breaks its links with terror networks.

The film also starred Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna, all of whom are expected to return in the sequel.

With a worldwide collection of over ₹1300 crore, ‘Dhurandhar’ became one of the biggest blockbusters in Bollywood history.

While Los Angeles rolled out red carpets, flashed designer gowns, and waited anxiously for golden envelopes to open, sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar was nowhere near the Grammy chaos. She was in India, surrounded by her music, her team, and the calm she says matters far more than trophies.

Two nominations, but no red carpet this time

At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Anoushka Shankar received two nominations; one for her album ‘Chapter III: We Return to Light’ and another for ‘Daybreak’, the album’s lead track. These nominations marked her 12th and 13th Grammy nods.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Anoushka posted photos from her recent performances in India. The pictures showed her playing the sitar on stage, smiling backstage, and sharing light moments with her team.

 

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A post shared by Anoushka Shankar (@anoushkashankarofficial)

“It’s Grammy day today!” she wrote, clearly proud but also reflective. She called the nominations “HUGE”, and they are. Yet, what followed was not the usual excitement or disappointment fans expect from artists on awards night.

Why the Grammys stress Anoushka Shankar out

Anoushka didn’t sugarcoat her feelings. She openly admitted that award season brings stress, anxiety, exhaustion. According to her, being in Los Angeles during major award events can feel like getting “sucked into a whirlwind” of emotions.

She explained that the days leading up to the Grammys are filled with intense preparation; travel, promotions, appearances, networking, constant pressure to look perfect. All of it, she said, can take a serious toll on mental health.

This year, she made a conscious decision: instead of chasing a trophy, she chose to stay on tour in India, doing what she loves most; playing music for real audiences.

Also Read: Sinners music honours Black voices through blues and jazz; what awards mean for artists rising from oppression

She shared that artists often spend thousands of dollars just to attend the Grammys on flights, hotels, outfits, publicity, marketing campaigns, endless events. Then comes the emotional rollercoaster. Hoping to win, imagining the moment. And sometimes walking away empty-handed.

She admitted that repeatedly not winning can hurt even if you try to stay strong. But over time, she has learned to step back and ask herself what really matters.

The reality behind Grammy voting

Anoushka also touched on the behind-the-scenes truth of how Grammy voting works especially in global music categories. She explained that bigger and more mainstream artists often have more money and resources to promote themselves.

Some artists spend months networking attending exclusive events and making sure their names are constantly visible to voters. Anoushka said she shares this not out of bitterness, but honesty.

“There is always a bigger artist,” she pointed out.

Despite everything, Anoushka made it clear that if she ever wins a Grammy, it would absolutely bring joy. But she strongly believes that, in the bigger picture, it does not define her worth or her music.

Anoushka Shankar’s Grammy Awards journey

Anoushka Shankar’s Grammy journey began in 2003, when she received her first nomination for ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’. She was the youngest-ever nominee in the Best Global Music Album category at the time.

Since then, she has been nominated multiple times: in 2006, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2024, and now 2025. This year marked her 13th and 14th nominations, yet the Grammy trophy continues to elude her.

Still, Anoushka seems at peace.

Some families are loud. Some are quiet. And some come together only once in a blue moon. But when they do, it feels like magic. Actor Neena Gupta just opened up about one such rare, emotional moment from her life, and it has all the warmth, honesty and calm wisdom she is known for. In a chat, Neena spoke about her daughter Masaba Gupta’s relationship with her father, legendary West Indies cricketer Vivian (Viv) Richards, and the story behind a picture that quietly broke the internet last year.

“They are comfortable, and that’s what matters”

Neena shared that even though Vivian Richards was not part of Masaba’s childhood, the father and daughter today share a comfortable and peaceful bond.

“It’s very nice,” Neena said adding that their relationship works because they understand each other’s nature. Vivian, she explained, is not a social person and prefers his own space. Masaba, on the other hand, is outgoing, social and expressive, much like Neena herself.

According to Neena, there is no pressure, no expectations and no awkwardness between them. “Whatever they have together, it works well for both of them,” she said simply.

The wedding picture that brought everything together

Neena also revealed the story behind much-talked-about family photo from Masaba’s wedding. The picture, shared on Instagram in January 2023, showed something people rarely see: Masaba’s entire blended family in one frame.

 

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A post shared by Masaba (@masabagupta)

Masaba and actor Satyadeep Misra opted for a court marriage instead of a traditional wedding with pheras. Later, they hosted a reception where both families were present. Vivian Richards was there too.

“That was the time Masaba wanted a picture,” Neena recalled. It wasn’t planned or staged. It just happened.

And that’s what made it special.

Also Read: Neena Gupta says she’s never been truly loved: “It was never like the movies”

“For the first time, my whole life came together”

The photo featured Masaba, Satyadeep, his mother Nalinimisra Tyabji, his sister Chinmaya Misra, Neena Gupta, her husband Vivek Mehra, and Vivian Richards.

Masaba’s caption said it all: “For the first time ever, my whole life came together. This is us. My beautiful blended family. Everything from here on is just a bonus.”

Neena Gupta and Vivian Richards had Masaba out of wedlock in the 1980s, a bold and difficult choice at a time when society was far less forgiving. Neena raised Masaba as a single mother and never hid from her truth.

In 2008, Neena married chartered accountant Vivek Mehra, beginning a new chapter in her personal life.

What’s next for Neena Gupta?

On the work front, Neena Gupta shows no signs of slowing down. She will next appear in ‘Vadh 2’, starring opposite Sanjay Mishra. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on February 6, 2026.

Delhi and the NCR region woke up to a dense fog cover at several places and moderate fog at many places, which had an impact on travel due to the affected visibility, causing delays, and delays in trains and flights.

The Delhi Airport advised passengers to contact airlines concerned for flight timings and updates, informing them that the operations had to be switched under the CAT- III conditions amid the fog situation, which may cause delays.

Notably, CAT-III allows aircraft landing in extremely low or near-zero visibility using advanced systems when runway visibility drops below 300 meters.

Talking of the NCR cities like Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh, the visibility, which was affected by fog, had an impact on those travelling to their workplaces in the morning hours, who had to face inconvenience.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s minimum temperature on Tuesday settled at 9.4 degrees C, which was a notch above the season’s average.

People continued to feel the winter chills with the presence of calm winds that enhanced the chill factor.

There is a likelihood that the air quality index may rise a little due to the low temperature and meteorological conditions; however, it shall stay in the poor zone, as per the forecast by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

City’s average air quality index continued to remain in the poor category with an index value reading of 260 at 10 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to the weather office, mist and shallow fog are likely to be present at night, while the maximum temperature during the day could hover around 20 degrees C.

The weather office has forecast similar weather conditions for Wednesday, suggesting that the sky would remain partly cloudy and there would be moderate fog at many places, while dense fog at isolated places in the city during the morning hours.

The Indian equity markets surged sharply by around 3 per cent early on Tuesday with broad-based buying across sectors, buoyed by the announcement of the India-US trade deal.

As of 9.25 am, Sensex added 2,421 points, or 2.97 per cent, to reach 84,088, and Nifty gained 741 points, or 2.96 per cent to settle at 25,829.

India and the United States have agreed to a trade agreement under which reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods will be slashed to 18 per cent from 25 per cent, and the additional 25 per cent duty on purchases of Russian crude oil will be eliminated. The trade deal will be “effective immediately”, President Donald Trump said, following a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Monday, offering immediate tariff relief for India.

Main broad-cap indices posted strong gains, as the Nifty Midcap 100 surged 3.10 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 3.25 per cent.

All sectoral indices showed huge gains with realty, auto, consumer durables and IT being the major gainers, up 4.47 per cent, 3.78 per cent, 3.69 per cent and 3.04 per cent, respectively.

At 18 per cent, India’s tariff rate is now lower than that of several major export-oriented Asian economies. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam face tariffs of 20 per cent, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan face tariffs of 19 per cent.

Immediate support for Nifty lies at the 25,600-25,800 zone, while resistance is anchored at the 26,200–26,350 zone, market watchers said.

“The dramatic announcement of the long-awaited US-India trade deal and the US decision to cut tariffs on India from 50 per cent to 18 per cent is a game changer for the Indian economy and stock markets, as its delay was the single most important factor weighing on the markets,” an analyst said.

According to market watchers, India’s growth rate will rise to around 7.5 per cent in FY27, assisted by higher exports to the US from the deal, and corporate earnings already on revival could accelerate to around 16 per cent to 18 per cent in FY27.

Analysts also said that the rupee will rebound sharply, adding that the combination of the US-India trade deal, the EU-India trade deal and the growth-oriented budget will boost market sentiments. The positive sentiment could trigger immediate foreign capital inflows, potentially turning India’s Balance of Payments (BoP) position.

Large caps, including banking leaders, non-banking financials, telecom, capital goods and IT, which are trading as the favourites of FII, can see huge inflows, market watchers said.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index gained 0.38 per cent, and Shenzhen added 0.93 per cent; Japan’s Nikkei surged 3.23 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.11 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi surged 5.04 per cent.

The US markets ended largely in the green in the last trading session as the Nasdaq gained 0.56 per cent. The S&P 500 advanced 0.54 per cent, and the Dow added 1.05 per cent.

On February 2, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold equities worth Rs 1,832 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 2,446 crore.

Also Read: India–US trade deal announced: Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal welcome move; Congress flags ‘Trump-nirbharta’

Budgets are rarely exciting. They are usually long documents filled with numbers, procedural language, and policy phrases that mean little to most citizens. Yet Union Budget 2026 is about far more than fiscal arithmetic. It is a statement about power – economic, technological, and geopolitical – in a world that is rapidly fragmenting. Today’s global order is defined by strategic rivalry. Supply chains have become weapons. Technology determines military strength. Trade has given way to pressure.

In this environment, India’s Budget 2026 identifies four strategic sectors – rare earths, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and nuclear power – that reveal how the fastest-growing major economy intends to protect its future. Rare earth minerals rarely make headlines, yet modern civilisation depends on them. Electric vehicles, wind turbines, precision-guided missiles, fighter jets, smartphones, and AI servers all rely on these 17 critical elements. China dominates global rare earth processing – not because others lack reserves, but because Beijing built processing and manufacturing ecosystems decades earlier. India possesses significant rare earth resources, particularly monazite sands along its coastline. What it lacks is processing capability.

Budget 2026 addresses this gap through the creation of dedicated rare earth corridors across Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu – integrating mining, processing, research, and manufacturing. The strategic shift is clear. Instead of exporting raw material and importing finished products, India wants to manufacture permanent magnets domestically for electric vehicles, defence systems, and renewable energy. This is a direct attempt to neutralise China’s leverage over a critical sector. If rare earths are the muscle, semiconductors are the brain. No modern economy can function without chips. The ongoing US-China semiconductor war has demonstrated how access to technology can be used as geopolitical leverage. India’s Semiconductor Mission 2.0 reflects urgency and ambition. It moves beyond factory construction to focus on full-stack capability – chip design, intellectual property, materials, equipment, research, and skilled manpower.

This matters because semiconductor fabrication takes years to mature, and demand is rising rapidly. Within five years, India is expected to account for nearly 10 percent of global semiconductor demand. India’s stated objective is bold: to become one of the world’s top semiconductor manufacturing nations by 2032. More importantly, it seeks policy certainty and domestic value addition – qualities that authoritarian systems struggle to provide over time. Artificial intelligence has become the defining technology of the age. If a country does not build AI domestically, it imports intelligence and exports sovereignty. Budget 2026 reflects this understanding, with AI receiving unprecedented attention.

The government has proposed long-term tax incentives for data centres, funding for national AI and quantum missions, and a research-driven innovation ecosystem. Platforms such as Bharat Vistar aim to deploy multilingual AI in agriculture and rural advisory services, ensuring technology penetrates beyond elite sectors. AI is not treated as a luxury or experiment , but as national infrastructure – on par with roads, power, and railways. Renewable energy is essential but insufficient. Solar and wind do not operate continuously, while AI data centres and advanced manufacturing demand uninterrupted power. Nuclear energy provides the base load required for an energy-intensive future.

By extending customs duty exemptions for nuclear projects until 2035 and signalling openness to private participation, India is lowering costs and providing long-term certainty. Currently, nuclear power contributes only about 3 per cent of India’s electricity. The ambition is to raise capacity from under 9 gigawatts today to 100 gigawatts by 2047. This is a massive bet – but one aligned with the realities of future growth. China’s rise was powered by capitalism operating under authoritarian control. When political centralisation returned, efficiency declined.

Today, China faces an irreversible demographic collapse, capital flight, and shrinking global trust. India has taken a slower, democratic route – reforms, digitisation, institutional building. It is less spectacular, but far more resilient. India will not surpass China overnight. But in fifty years, the contrast may seem obvious. Union Budget 2026 recognises this. It is not about instant results. It is about reducing strategic dependence, securing supply chains, and preparing India for a divided world. India is not just budgeting for growth. It is budgeting for power – and for a future where trust, innovation, and resilience matter more than coercion.

(The writer is director-Mrikal (AI/Data Center) and a young alumni member, Government Liaison Task Force, IIT Kharagpur.)

US newspapers and broadcasters have greeted the India-US trade deal with cautious approval, seeing it as a welcome thaw after months of strain. At the same time, they have pointed out that much of the agreement is still light on detail, raising doubts about how soon words will turn into action.

The agreement was announced by US President Donald Trump after a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. American outlets described it as an attempt to reset trade ties after a prolonged standoff.

Also Read: India–US trade deal announced: Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal welcome move; Congress flags ‘Trump-nirbharta’

How US outlets are reading the agreement

Fox News reported that the deal would cut US tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. It cited President Trump’s claim that India would lower trade barriers and stop buying Russian oil, instead shifting purchases to the United States. The network linked the announcement to wider geopolitical pressures, including the war in Ukraine, and said Washington had pushed New Delhi for months over its energy ties with Moscow.

The Wall Street Journal said the agreement was designed to cool trade tensions after a long impasse. It reported that India had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases and increase imports from the US, while Washington would reduce tariffs. The paper noted, however, that the White House had not released formal documents to put the tariff changes into effect. It also pointed out that several major Indian exports, such as pharmaceuticals and electronics, had already been largely exempt from earlier duties.

Why questions remain on impact

The New York Times described the deal as short on specifics but potentially meaningful. It said the agreement appeared to roll back some of the sharp tariffs imposed last year and could help steady relations. At the same time, the paper flagged skepticism among analysts over whether India would fully end Russian oil purchases and whether an 18 per cent tariff would still burden businesses.

The Washington Post said the deal helps stabilise ties after months of diplomatic strain. It called the tariff cut a “much-needed boost” for both Washington and New Delhi, while underlining that several core terms remain unresolved.

Across outlets, the tone was similar. The deal is seen as progress. But its real impact, many cautioned, will depend on how fast the commitments move from phone calls to formal action.