Saturday, February 28, 2026
Missiles Over Dubai Raise One Question: Is Burj Khalifa Insured?
Dubai's Burj Khalifa, a $1.5 billion icon at the heart of a $20 billion district, was evacuated after explosions were heard across the city as Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes targeting US military locations across the Gulf following joint American and Israeli attacks on Tehran, putting fresh focus not just on regional tensions, but on how the world's tallest tower is insured against war.
Iran carried out attacks targeting locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Doha in Qatar and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Residents in Dubai told Agence France-Presse they heard loud explosions and saw missiles moving across the sky.
Emirati authorities evacuated the 828 meter tower after explosions were reported across Dubai, clearing one of the city's most recognizable landmarks as part of precautionary measures.
The Emaar Cover
The Burj Khalifa draws millions of visitors each year to observation decks on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors overlooking the city and the Arabian Gulf. Behind the glass and steel sits a layered insurance structure arranged for developer Emaar Properties.
The core insurance program was arranged by Oman Insurance for Emaar as a construction all risk and property policy, with Munich Re as lead reinsurer, covering roughly $1.5 billion in exposure for the structure. That program covers the structure owned by Emaar, while contents, individual apartments, hotel interiors and offices are insured separately by their owners.
Large flagship Emaar properties in Dubai are explicitly insured for political violence, including sabotage and terrorism, malicious damage, riots, civil commotion, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities whether war be declared or not, civil war, rebellion, revolution, coup d'état, insurrection or mutiny and war.
Given Burj Khalifa is Emaar's highest profile asset and Emaar's more ordinary towers now routinely carry political violence and terrorism extensions, it is described as highly likely, though not publicly documented, that the tower's current property program also includes terrorism and broader political violence coverage. That would be the mechanism for any claim arising from a deliberate missile attack.
In insurance practice, a missile strike by a state or non state actor is usually treated under specialized terrorism, political violence or war risk extensions, not as a separate missile peril. However, many policies exclude full war while buying back narrower terrorism or political violence cover, meaning any response would depend on detailed wording, limits and exclusions that are not public.
Cost and value figures underscore the stakes. Build cost stands at about $1.4 to $1.5 billion. Estimated 2025 replacement cost ranges from about $2.8 to $3.5 billion. A 2026 valuation analysis argues the tower anchors a roughly $20 billion Downtown Dubai development and that its total worth is several times construction cost.
Data from Knight Frank show average residential prices at about AED 3,000 per square foot by end 2024, nearly 80 percent above the Dubai average, with annual home sales around AED 467 million in 2024.
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Friday, February 27, 2026
PM to inaugurate Micron facility in Sanand
Chennai: Prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate American memory chip maker Micron's Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility in Sanand on Saturday, as per a government press release. Union minister for electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw is also expected to be present at the event. The project, which had its ground-breaking ceremony in September 2023, was the first one approved under India Semiconductor Mission. With a total outlay of over ₹22,500 crore, once the facility is fully ramped up, it will feature around 500,000 square feet of cleanroom space.
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Thursday, February 26, 2026
Arshdeep India's top wicket-taker in T20WC
Chennai: Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh surpassed Jasprit Bumrah to become the country's highest wicket-taker in ICC T20 World Cup history on Thursday. Arshdeep achieved this milestone (35 wickets) during his side's do-or-die match against Zimbabwe at Chennai and brought his absolute best in this crucial match, taking 3/24 in four overs.In 19 matches since his debut in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Arshdeep has taken 35 wickets at an average of 14.25 and an economy rate of 7.33, with a four-fer to his name. Bumrah was previously the leading wicket-taker for India, with 33 scalps in 23 matches at an average of 14.00, with best figures of 3/7. Bangladesh's Shakib al Hasan (50 wickets) is the top wicket-taker in the tournament's history. So far in the five matches, Arshdeep has taken eight wickets at an average of 16.00, with best figures of 3/24 coming today. In the previous edition back in 2024, Arshdeep was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.64, with a four-wicket haul to his name and best figures of 4/9.He also completed 150 wickets for India in international cricket, with 151 wickets in 96 matches and 94 innings at an average of 19.78, with three four-fers and two five-fors to his name and best figures of 5/37. Besides being India's top wicket-taker in T20Is with 126 scalps in 81 matches, he also has 25 ODI wickets in 15 matches. With this win, India has a win and a loss each in the Super Eight phase, same as West Indies, making the March 1 clash between them a virtual knockout match for the second semifinal spot, with Proteas having qualified for the semifinal with two wins in two matches so far.Put to bat first by Zimbabwe, India amassed their highest T20 WC total on the board courtesy knocks from Abhishek Sharma (55 in 30 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes), Hardik Pandya (50* in 23 balls, with two fours and four sixes) and Tilak Varma (44* in 16 balls, with three fours and four sixes).In reply, Zimbabwe was valiant, posting 184/6 in 20 overs, courtesy a fine 97* in 59 balls, consisting of eight fours and six sixes by Brian Bennett and a 21-ball 31 by skipper Sikandar Raza.Arshdeep Singh (3/24) was the top wicket-taker for India.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Woman Says H-1B Visa Was Cancelled For 'Overstaying In India', Sparks Debate
A Reddit user on an H-1B visa has alleged that her visa was abruptly cancelled at the Abu Dhabi preclearance facility while she was returning to the United States with her husband in January. She said she had travelled to India in November to celebrate her daughter's first birthday. According to her post, there were no problems with visa stamping because their appointments had been booked before mid-December 2025, prior to the wave of reported disruptions in US visa processing.
While her husband was cleared without any difficulty, she was stopped during preclearance questioning. She was asked about the length of her stay in India and whether she had continued working during that period. The woman explained that she had remained in India for about two months and that the trip was a mix of vacation and limited work. Although she was officially on paid time off, she admitted she had worked partially while abroad.
She was then directed to secondary inspection, where officers asked her to provide documentation showing that remote work from India was permitted under her Labor Condition Application (LCA). She said that such a provision was not included in her paperwork.
According to her account, officials accused her of effectively "overstaying" in India and stated that drawing a salary from a US employer while working from India violated US regulations. Her visa was subsequently stamped "Cancelled and Withdrawn," and she was told she would need to apply again.
However, she claimed there are currently no available visa appointment slots, leaving her stranded. Her company's immigration attorney has reportedly advised that remote work from India is not unlawful. The woman said she is under significant stress and is seeking advice on her next steps.
US-based entrepreneur James Blunt weighed in on the situation, describing it as a "221(i) visa cancellation at preclearance." He noted that officers from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) exercise extremely broad discretion at ports of entry.
Assuming this H-1B visa cancellation is a real Reddit post:
— James Blunt (@JBlunt1018) February 24, 2026
This looks like a 221(i) visa cancellation at preclearance.
CBP has EXTREMELY BROAD discretion at ports of entry (including Abu Dhabi preclearance). They do not have to prove a violation the way USCIS does during… pic.twitter.com/Hd76JvynQP
Under US immigration rules, CBP officers are not bound by the same evidentiary standards that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) follows when adjudicating H-1B petitions.
Blunt questioned why travellers continue to make nonessential trips amid heightened scrutiny, pointing out that even pro-immigration advocates have cautioned against it. He advised H-1B holders to avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary.
"Is it ridiculous? YES. From a legal authority standpoint, however, CBP absolutely has the power to do this. Given the current enforcement posture, WHY are people still traveling when even pro-immigration advocates are warning against it? Tell a friend to stop traveling unless it's an emergency; there are beautiful places to visit in the US, and we have great Indian food. Come on folks, it's not that difficult," he commented.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026
Ranveer Singh Goes To Karnataka High Court Against FIR For Kantara Mimicry
Ranveer Singh has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered against him in Bengaluru over his alleged gestures depicting Daiva from Rishab Shetty's Kantara 2.
The matter is now expected to be heard by the court.
About The Case Against Ranveer Singh
In January 2026, an FIR was registered against Ranveer Singh at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru over allegations that he had insulted Hindu religious sentiments and the Chavundi Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka.
The case was booked under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was lodged by Prashanth Methal, a 46-year-old advocate based in Bengaluru.
As per the FIR, the alleged incident took place during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa on November 28, 2025. The complainant claimed that Ranveer Singh made objectionable remarks and performed a stage act which, according to him, mocked and demeaned sacred elements of the Daiva tradition.
The FIR noted that Methal said he had come across a video of the performance on December 2, 2025, while browsing Instagram at the Karnataka State Billiards Association in Bengaluru. The video had reportedly been shared by an account named Brief Chaat.
In his complaint, Methal alleged that Ranveer Singh mimicked expressions linked to Panjurli and Guliga Daiva in what he described as a crude and disrespectful manner. He further claimed that the actor referred to the sacred Chavundi Daiva as a "female ghost".
The complaint stated that Chavundi Daiva is worshipped as a guardian deity symbolising divine feminine energy in the coastal belt of Karnataka and is held in deep reverence by devotees. Referring to the deity as a ghost, the complainant alleged, amounted to a serious distortion that hurt religious sentiments and caused significant mental distress among followers of the Daiva tradition.
The FIR further alleged that the act had been deliberate and malicious, with the intention of outraging religious feelings and fostering enmity within society.
The matter was referred to the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Bengaluru and was scheduled to be heard on April 8.
Earlier, a private complaint had been filed by the advocate on December 27, 2025, before the Additional Judicial Magistrate in Bengaluru. On January 23, 2026, the court had directed the High Grounds Police Station to register an FIR under Section 175(3) of the BNS. Following the court's direction, the police registered the FIR.
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Police in Britain arrest Peter Mandelson
Former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson has been arrested by London police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Mandelson, 72, was fired from the most prestigious posting in Britain's diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein started to become clear. Police earlier this month began a criminal investigation into Mandelson after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government passed on communications between the former ambassador and Epstein. "Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement relating to an investigation into a former government minister.
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Mukul Roy's Death Turns Political Flashpoint Between Trinamool, BJP
Political accusations and counter-allegations dominated reactions to the death of veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Roy, even as tributes poured in from across party lines.
The body of the senior TMC leader, who died at a private hospital in Kolkata around 1:30 am on Monday, was brought to the state assembly in the afternoon.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines, Bengal minister Firhad Hakim (Bobby) accused the BJP of bearing responsibility for Roy's death, claiming it caused him severe mental stress.
"I have lost my elder brother (Dada) today. One thing I can say is that the BJP is solely responsible for his untimely death. He was murdered by the BJP. He was threatened to join the BJP, and Roy faced tremendous pressure from them. He was pressurised by central agencies," Hakim said.
Roy, widely regarded as the 'Chanakya' of Bengal politics, had been suffering from prolonged illness for a long time. His family stated that he had been admitted to the hospital continuously for around 600 days in his final phase.
Roy had remained largely detached from mainstream Bengal politics since rejoining the Trinamool Congress. He was a founding member of the party alongside Mamata Banerjee, and the TMC's iconic 'Ghas Phool' logo was reportedly registered in his name at its inception.
Hakim further said, "Roy was our party's second-in-command. From the early days of our politics, Mukul Roy was the solution for us. He was threatened to join the BJP or face jail. We all share the same emotional feelings for our party, but the BJP is forcefully trying to include us in the saffron camp. Because of such tremendous emotional fight, Mukul Roy was shattered."
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh hit back with counter-allegations against the TMC.
"Mukul Roy won the last election on a BJP ticket. He was made BJP's Rashtriya Upadhyaksh. Because of TMC's pressure, he had to rejoin the TMC. Since then, for the past four years, he had no relation with us. The TMC took him back and killed him. How can the BJP be responsible for his death today?" Ghosh asked.
"It is undeniable that Mukul Roy shaped the Trinamool Congress Party. Mukul da was with us for a considerable time in the BJP. We were all shocked to see him going back to the TMC after 2021. Thereafter, we had no connection with him. Till then, his health was failing. I don't understand where the BJP fits in to killing him. TMC senior ministers should not politicise Mukul Roy's death," BJP leader Shatarupa Ghosh added.
Congress state chief Subhankar Sarkar commented, "There is a chronology that the BJP has a washing machine. We don't know what Firhad Hakim has said. It is the BJP's old trend: if anyone speaks against them, they pressurise him. But today, we should remember the colourful politician Mukul Roy."
News of his death emerged early in the morning, prompting condolences from across the political spectrum on social media.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: "Saddened by the demise of former Union Minister Shri Mukul Roy Ji. His political experience and social service efforts will be remembered. My condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote, "I am saddened and shocked by the news of the sudden demise of veteran politician Mukul Roy. He was my long-time political colleague, a fellow fighter in many political struggles. The news of his passing has left me heartbroken."
"Mukul Roy has sacrificed his life for the Trinamool Congress since its inception. He became a Union Minister and was accepted by all levels of the party. Later, he went on a different path and came back again. His contribution and organisational skills in Bengal politics should not be forgotten. His absence will be felt by the political circles irrespective of party affiliation," she added.
TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee paid his last respects to the party veteran at the assembly and accompanied Roy's son and family to the last rites in Halishahar.
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Sunday, February 22, 2026
Mamata Banerjee INDIA Bloc Chief: MS Aiyar's Message To Rahul Gandhi
Congress's Mani Shankar Aiyar, known for his controversial statements on multiple issues, this time advised his party's senior leader Rahul Gandhi to leave INDIA Bloc's driving seat to leaders of the regional parties. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said, was leader of the bloc, without whom "the 'I', 'N', 'D', 'I', 'A' of the INDIA alliance will be gone".
"Mamata Banerjee is the leader of this alliance. Along with her, there are two or four others who can achieve this position," he told reporters in Kolkata this afternoon, sparkling a political row ahead of the assembly polls in Bengal.
Then he went on to add, "I hope that instead of trying to remain in this position, which belongs to smaller parties -be it Stalin, Mamata Didi, Akhilesh, Tejashwi, or someone else - Rahul Gandhi should let them handle it."
Mani Shankar Aiyar - suspended by Rahul Gandhi earlier over his derogatory comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been praising his party's regional opponents for a while. Recently he made headlines with his praise for Kerala Chief Minister and CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan. His irked party colleagues said it was his personal opinion.
The Bengal Congress leaders have responded sharply to Mani Shankar Aiyar's comment.
Congress state general secretary Suman Roy Chowdhury has told NDTV,
"Let us make it clear in the beginning -- for a long time, Mani Shankar Aiyar is no more attached with the activities of Congress Party. Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bengal are vacant now. Was that a reason behind such a comment from Mani Shankar Aiyar? We wonder," he said.
He then proceeded to attack the senior leader directly.
"Mani Shankar ji do you know Mamata Banerjee acts as behind the curtain stooge of BJP against whom the INDIA block is fighting? I don't think after staying away from the party, you have any stakes to make any decision of the Congress Party".
"I will not comment right now because we are all busy with the Bengal elections," said Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh.
"Our primary duty at the moment is to decisively defeat the BJP and ensure that the government is formed here for the fourth time under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. Mani Shankar Aiyar is a very senior leader. The entire country is watching who is giving the BJP a proper ideological battle," he added.
In Bengal, the Congress will be up against the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls. This time, it has not renewed its alliance with the CPM.
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Saturday, February 21, 2026
Watch: Gurugram Man, 31, Shares Rs 2.44 Lakh Monthly Expense Breakdown
A 31-year-old corporate professional from Gurugram has sparked online discussion after sharing his monthly expenditure of over Rs 2.4 lakh. In a now-viral video titled ‘Monthly spends of corporate gym rat living in Gurgaon,' Gagan Saini detailed his January outgoings, ranging from rent and groceries to long-term investments.
Saini detailed that he was living in a 2.5 BHK flat in the Millennium City, with the rent coming around Rs 53,500. He said, although the rent was not cheap, his priorities had shifted post-marriage and comfort, location and safety came first. As for cook, maid and car cleaning, he was shelling out Rs 8,450 per month.
Being a regular at the gym, Saini said he was spending Rs 8,682 on membership and supplements, which also inflated his grocery costs to Rs 15,927 as he preferred to cook most of the meals at home. The homemade meals greatly reduced his eating-out tendencies, which meant that the dine-out bill stood at Rs 3,161.
Saini added that he was renting most of the furniture in his flat at a monthly cost of Rs 18,926, while home decor to make the space feel cosy set him back by Rs 4,848. Wi-fi and other OTT subscriptions increased the expenses by another Rs 1,728, and petrol cost him Rs 6,000.
"Home setup is still in progress so rented fridge and washing machine for now, but yes, got the recliner. Small home and kitchen touches to make the space feel like ours," he wrote.
As a content creator, Saini said he spent Rs 4,022 on buying some equipment and professional software subscriptions, whilst investing Rs 1,20,000. In the end, his total expenses for the month of January came to around Rs 2,44,244.
Check The Viral Post Here:
Also Read | Viral Baby Monkey Punch Finally Accepted By His Troop With Heartwarming Hug
Social Media Reacts
As of the last update, the video had garnered over 171,000 views, as social media users joked that Saini's monthly expenses far exceeded their annual salaries.
"This is the annual package at our college," said one user while another added: "Bro, the amount you have spent is not even the salary of most people."
A third commented: "Apart from rent, everything else is pretty reasonable, good to know you are spending a good amount on your diet and stay."
A fourth said: "Seeing your rent made my heart sink. I feel lucky that I don't have to pay any rent. Rest everything is good."
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Friday, February 20, 2026
Gambhir Holds One-On-One Chat With Abhishek, Team Management Breaks Silence
All that Abhishek Sharma needs is a start, but there hasn't been any discussion about the talented opener's wretched run in the T20 World Cup so far, bowling coach Morne Morkel said ahead of India's first Super Eights game against South Africa here on Sunday. Abhishek is yet to open his account in the current edition of the tournament and during Friday's training, he was seen spending considerable time with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir was seen trying to explain to him certain finer points and like a diligent student, the flamboyant southpaw nodded in agreement.
After that he went for a high catch session.
At times, excess training can prove to be counter productive and Abhishek was seen bowling to the other batters for better part of the game.
When asked if there's discussion in general within the team on Abhishek, Morkel denied emphatically.
"Absolutely no discussion. He's a world class player. So far in the tournament, luckily, there's been some guys standing up for Abhishek (others scoring runs)," Morkel told the media.
However, he agreed that Abhishek needs to score runs as they enter the business end of the tourney.
"But we're going through a very important phase of the World Cup now and we expect him to do well.
"And I'm pretty sure, not just for the team, but also for all the viewers watching the game. Because he's (Abhishek) entertaining, and we love to see that.
"So yeah, I'm pretty sure he's hitting the ball well. It's just a matter of getting that start and Abhishek will get going," Morkel said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Thursday, February 19, 2026
Viral: Rajpal Yadav Dances To Salman's Song At Pre-Wedding Function After Bail
Actor Rajpal Yadav was released from Tihar Jail on Tuesday, twelve days after he surrendered in a case involving a Rs 9 crore cheque bounce and loan default. The Delhi High Court granted him interim bail on Monday, giving him temporary relief in the long-running financial dispute connected to his 2012 film Ata Pata Laapata. Now, a video of Rajpal Yadav dancing at his niece's wedding in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, his ancestral village, has gone viral.
The 54-year-old is seen dancing to the song Teri Chunariya from Hello Brother (1999). Clad in a beige dhoti and kurta, Rajpal Yadav is all smiles as he joins the women of the house on the dance floor.
जेल से छूटते ही डांस करते दिखे राजपाल यादव
— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) February 19, 2026
राजपाल यादव तिहाड़ जेल से रिहा होने के बाद सीधे अपने गांव शाहजहांपुर पहुंचे, जहां वह अपनी भतीजी की मेहंदी फंक्शन में डांस करते नजर आए#RajpalYadav | #ChequeBounceCase pic.twitter.com/HIIAOgMhEk
Rajpal Yadav On Humble Beginnings
The actor spoke to NDTV earlier today about his humble beginnings.
The actor was released from Tihar Jail on February 17 after depositing Rs 1.5 crore in connection with a Rs 9-crore cheque-bounce case. He had surrendered on February 5 after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking additional time to repay the amount. However, the court later suspended his sentence until March 18, granting him temporary relief.
"I was a tailor, and we have a company that stitches clothes for the Indian Army. I feel very proud that, in whatever way possible, I am able to serve my country," he said.
The actor then credited his Guru for shaping his outlook on life. "Nothing is greater than time. My Guruji taught me that if you consider anything your teacher in this world, let it be time. I respect and praise time. Whatever time has decided for me-whether it was my beginning, my present, or my future-I have faith in it. Whatever time does will be according to the situation and for my good," he said.
Rajpal also spoke about his early struggles and the support of his family. Recalling his marriage and the years that followed, he added, "In 2003, when I got married, my brothers supported the family. Some worked in the fields, some gave tuition classes, and they helped me study in Lucknow and later in Delhi. After that, I took admission in an inter-college. I completed five years there, and that phase shaped my journey."
Today, Rajpal Yadav shared his first social media post since his release. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your love and support."
Businessman Recalls Loan, Alleged Broken Promises, And Legal Battle
After Rajpal Yadav was granted interim bail, businessman Madhav Gopal Agrawal, who had loaned the money, broke his silence on the matter in an interview with News Pinch.
Agrawal said he had first met Rajpal Yadav through MP Mithilesh Kumar Katheria and was told that the actor's film Ata Pata Laapata was nearing completion. According to him, the actor had claimed that without immediate funding, "everything would go to waste".
Initially reluctant, Agrawal said he later agreed to help after Rajpal Yadav's wife, Radha, sent him emotional messages requesting support. He added that he even "cried in front of him like a child" while pleading for clarity on repayment, as he had borrowed money from others to fund the loan.
The businessman maintained that the agreement clearly stated that the amount would be repaid irrespective of the film's success or failure. "It was a loan, not an investment," he said, stressing that Rajpal Yadav had provided personal guarantees and cheques.
When the actor failed to repay on time, supplementary agreements were allegedly signed on three occasions, with fresh cheques issued each time. However, Agrawal claimed that all of them were dishonoured.
Eventually, the matter escalated, leading to Rajpal Yadav's surrender earlier this month. While he has now been granted interim bail, the case remains ongoing, with the final outcome still pending before the court.
ALSO READ | Rajpal Yadav Breaks Silence On Rs 9-Crore Debt Case: "Yeh 2012 Mein Shuru Hua, Aaj 2026 Hai"
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Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Foreign Secretary Meets Bangladesh's Opposition As India Steps Up Outreach
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's swearing-in ceremony on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but a noticeable outreach effort can also be seen in the foreign secretary's meeting with Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on the sidelines of the event.
The Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami has emerged as the largest opposition party in Bangladesh and notably won big in areas along the border with India.
One of the complaints that Bangladesh has had earlier with Indian foreign policy regarding Bangladesh, especially during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, was that India did not engage with any other political group, and that was articulated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party as well after it won the election.
ভারতের বিদেশসচিব শ্রী বিক্রম মিস্রি বাংলাদেশের নতুন সরকারের শপথ গ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠানের অবকাশে বাংলাদেশের বিরোধীদলীয় নেতা ও বাংলাদেশ জামায়াতে ইসলামী-র আমির ডা. শফিকুর রহমানের সাথে সৌজন্য সাক্ষাৎ করেন।
— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) February 17, 2026
বিদেশসচিব এই দুই দেশের সম্পর্কের জনগণ-কেন্দ্রিক প্রকৃতির ওপর গুরুত্ব আরোপ করে ডা.… pic.twitter.com/UqU8n5P942
Now as India looks at a reset in ties with Bangladesh, India is ensuring its outreach touches everyone and influential political groups are not isolated when it comes to the bilateral relationship.
"Foreign Secretary of India Shri Vikram Misri had a courtesy meeting with the leader of opposition of Bangladesh and the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Bangladesh," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said in a statement on social media platform X.
"Foreign Secretary conveyed greetings to Dr. Rahman on his new role and reaffirmed India's enduring support to Bangladesh, underscoring the people-centric nature of the ties. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the deep civilisational bonds shared by the two countries and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations," the statement added.
PM Modi's Letter To Tarique Rahman
Birla met Rahman on Tuesday and handed over a warm letter by PM Modi inviting Bangladesh's newly sworn-in prime minister to India.
PM Modi's letter also extended an invitation to Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida and his daughter Zaima to visit India at a "mutually convenient time".
"A warm welcome awaits you in India," he added in the congratulatory letter.
Last year in December, PM Modi sent a condolence letter to Rahman through External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after the death of Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and Rahman's mother.
India-Bangladesh Relations
Following the deterioration in ties with Bangladesh under the unelected interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, whose provocative comments on India's northeast have led to concern in India, as the new BNP government under Rahman takes charge, India is looking to improve relations with Bangladesh.
Under Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh had followed a policy of pivoting towards Pakistan at the cost of the relationship with India.
Tarique Rahman's stated foreign policy, "Not Dilli, Not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything," looks at a more pragmatic approach based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and India is now looking to respond with warmth and friendship as Bangladesh enters a new era after 18 months and finally returns to a democratically elected government.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Ex-Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Borah To Join BJP On Feb 22: Himanta Sarma
Senior Assam leader Bhupen Borah, who quit the Congress ahead of the coming state elections, will stand by his decision and will join the BJP on February 22, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. "Bhupen Borah has decided to not withdraw his resignation and after our discussion, he has decided to join the BJP," Sarma told reporters today.
Borah was asked to take time and rethink his decision to quit the party he has served for decades. But despite considerable firefighting by Rahul Gandhi and the party's state unit chief Gaurav Gogoi, he --- after an hour-long meeting with Sarma -- has decided to stand by his decision, the Chief Minister said.
Borah, who was appointed to the Congress Committee top post in 2021, quit the party after he was allegedly sidelined and over-ruled.
In May last year, Gaurav Gogoi replaced him in the Congress state unit's top post. Although he was given the responsibility of the coalition committee, Gogoi was making all the important decisions.
Sources close to Bora said he was hurt by the party's disregard for his hard work. "The main reason is humiliation," Borah had told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
"I have got through the same pain that Bhupen Borah went through," said Sarma who had also moved to the BJP after spending years in the Congress.
The Congress, Sarma said, has "serious problems they don't want to address". They just want to "appease a particular person".
"The Congress leadership is immature. They should have addressed the issues Bhupen Borah raised. Only Rahul Gandhi calling the disgruntled leader does not work. They should have made a genuine effort to retain Bhupen Borah," he added.
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Monday, February 16, 2026
Vijay Deverakonda And Rashmika Mandanna Wedding On Feb 26, Invite Goes Viral
A wedding invitation allegedly belonging to actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has gone viral on social media. The invite, which surfaced online in recent days, hints at what could be one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings of 2026.
According to the circulated invitation, the couple is set to tie the knot on February 26, 2026, in a "small and intimate ceremony," followed by a grand reception on March 4 in Hyderabad. The reception is reportedly scheduled to take place at Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, from 7:00 pm onwards.
The wedding card reads, "I'm writing to share some special news and to invite you to be part of a huge moment in our lives. With the love and blessings of our families, Rashmika and I will be getting married on 26.02.26 in a small and intimate ceremony. As we begin this new chapter, celebrating and creating memories around our union, it would truly mean a lot to us to celebrate with those who have been a part of our journeys. Your presence and blessings would make this occasion even more special for us."
It further adds, "We warmly invite you to join us and bless us at our Wedding Reception. Wednesday, 04 March, 2026 | 7:00 PM onwards, Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. We look forward to celebrating together. Warm regards, Vijay (on behalf of Rashmika & myself)."
Despite the buzz surrounding the invite, neither Vijay nor Rashmika has officially confirmed its authenticity. As of now, the viral card remains unverified, leaving fans uncertain about whether the details are genuine.
When Rashmika Mandanna Addressed The Wedding Rumours
Addressing the speculation in a recent interaction with The Hollywood Reporter, Rashmika said, "I wouldn't like to confirm or deny the marriage. I will just say when it's to be spoken about, we shall."
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna first won hearts as an on-screen pair in the 2018 blockbuster Geetha Govindam. They later reunited for Dear Comrade in 2019. Their strong chemistry in both films led to persistent speculation about a possible real-life romance.
Over the years, the actors have remained tight-lipped about their personal lives, choosing to focus on their professional commitments. While they have often been spotted together at events and on social media, they have neither confirmed nor denied dating rumours.
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Sunday, February 15, 2026
How A Fake Resume Cost A Startup Rs 2 Lakh And Changed Its Hiring Policy
Startup founder Ashutosh Gupta, Chief Business Officer at Praper Media, recently shared a LinkedIn post sharing how hiring a candidate with a fake resume resulted in a loss of over Rs 2 lakh and four months of productivity. Gupta explained that the candidate's hiring happened at a time when Praper was smaller and the company relied heavily on interviews and instinct. "Background verification felt unnecessary. So we hired based on interviews and gut feeling. If someone seemed good in the interview, we brought them on," Gupta wrote.
According to the founder, Chirag came across as confident and experienced. He claimed he was earning Rs 40,000 at his previous agency. The team offered him Rs 45,000 - a raise that seemed fair for someone with three years of experience.
However, Gupta said concerns began to surface about 2 months into the role when the candidate failed to perform basic tasks, such as taking two days to complete a standard video edit that typically takes junior editors only a few hours.
"We assigned him a reaction video edit. Standard work. Our junior editors handle 3 per day. Chirag took 2 DAYS. And the output was unusable. For someone who claimed 3 years of experience and a ₹40K salary at their last agency? That made no sense. So we called his previous employer," he wrote.
The verification call revealed multiple discrepancies. While Chirag claimed to earn Rs 40,000 at his previous job, his actual salary was only Rs 25,000. He claimed to have resigned from his previous role, but he had actually been fired for performance issues. The "manager" provided for a reference check turned out to be a friend who gave a glowing, but fabricated, review.
See the post here:
"It cost us ₹1.35L in salary (3 months), ₹40K in training time, and ₹25K in replacement hiring. Plus: Delayed client work, affected team morale, wasted time. Total: ₹2L+ and 4 months lost. All because we skipped one step," Gupta added.
The incident triggered a major change in hiring policy at Praper Media. "So now every hire gets background verification. No exceptions," Gupta stated. The company's updated process includes emailing the previous employer's HR, calling the previous manager through official company numbers, cross-checking LinkedIn details, and verifying salary slips.
"People try to bypass with fake numbers and photoshopped slips. We catch them 90% of the time. If you're building a team of 15-20+ people, here's what I recommend: Start background verification now. Don't wait for a mistake. We learned at Rs 2 lakhs. You don't have to," he advised other founders.
Similar Cases:
Other founders have shared similar "hiring horror stories" recently:
- Tint Cosmetics: Founder Arshia Kaur reported a marketing head used fake salary slips made in Excel to join her company in late 2024, only to be fired months later for incompetence.
- Jobbie: Founder Mohammed Ahmed Bhati recently revoked a Rs 22 LPA offer after a background check revealed the candidate had made derogatory religious remarks on social media.
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Saturday, February 14, 2026
Watch: Snake Found In Pakistan's Dugout Ahead Of T20 World Cup Match vs India
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to take on each other in a T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday. A Super Eight spot will be in sight when the two teams face off. Days ahead of the match, a snake appeared in the Pakistan dugout. It happened in the evening on Friday, just when Salman Agha and Co. were about to reach the venue for training. The video of the incident is going viral on social media.
Watch it here:
— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) February 14, 2026
#T20WorldCup | #IndVsPak pic.twitter.com/Q39JKq2iFM
Pakistan are likely to go with four specialist bowlers -- two spinners and two pacers -- in their T20 World Cup blockbuster game against arch-rivals India, claimed a PTI report.
A source close to the team told the news agency that head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha were keen to go into the match with both specialist spinners Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq and also two specialist fast bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Mirza.
The team management is also likely to make a call on dropping one all-rounder from among Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf.
"The only problem for the team management is: if they go in with four specialist bowlers, they have to make a call on who will sit out among Faheem, Shadab and Nawaz," the source said.
He said with Saim Ayub, Sahabzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam and Usman Khan occupying the top five positions, the team management has to decide who to play at number six and seven followed by the four bowlers.
The source said there is a likelihood of Nawaz sitting out since he is a left-arm spinner and India have left-handed batters in Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh.
"The feeling is better to play Faheem as he is in good batting form and will be the third pacer if required and Shadab whose leg spin will be useful against the southpaw batters," the source said.
He said that with Abrar, Usman, Shadab and Saim Ayub available as the spin options, the team management is confident they can manage without Nawaz in the high profile match.
But he insisted that the decision could change after having a final look at the Premadasa stadium pitch on Sunday and also seeing how the weather holds up.
Pakistan will also be playing at the Premadasa for the first time in the tournament.
Pakistan won a T20 series in Sri Lanka last month but all the matches were played in Dambulla while the team has played both its T20 World Cup games against the Netherlands and USA at the Sinhalese Sports Ground.
(With PTI Inputs)
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Friday, February 13, 2026
Abhishek Reaches Colombo Ahead Of India vs Pak Game, Says This About Health
Abhishek Sharma's participation in India's match against Pakistan here depends on his recovery from a stomach bug, but the swashbuckling opener arrived with the team on Friday, raising hopes of his return at the Premadasa on Sunday. Abhishek had missed India's match in New Delhi against Namibia on Thursday despite being released from a private hospital in the national capital. India will have a net session on Saturday evening, and Abhishek's fitness will be monitored closely before a final decision is taken.
In a video posted by Punjab Kings (PBKS), pacer Arshdeep Singh can be seen asking him, "How are you?"
To this, Abhishek replied, "Dal-rice, very good. Me? Good."
Daal-rice khao, jaldi theek ho jaao! pic.twitter.com/aKEpKCw08G
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 13, 2026
Parents arrive in Colombo
Meanwhile, the parents of the India opener also arrived in Colombo ahead of the Pakistan match. Rajkumar Sharma has been a constant source of support for Abhishek and has coached the left-handed batter since childhood. The parents were also present in Dubai during the Asia Cup.
If Abhishek continues to be unavailable, India can either persist with Sanju Samson or bring in the fit-again Washington Sundar to pair with Ishan Kishan at the top.
Having played his entire T20I career after the T20 World Cup win by the Rohit Sharma-led side in 2024, Abhishek has scored 1,297 runs in 38 matches and 37 innings at an average of 37.05 and a strike rate of 194.74, with two centuries, eight fifties, and a best score of 135. He entered the T20 World Cup as the world's top-ranked T20I batter.
In three matches against Pakistan, he has scored 110 runs at an average of 36.66 and a strike rate of 189.65, with a best of 74.
Following the toss against Namibia on Thursday, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said about Abhishek, "Abhishek is still not fine; he will miss a game or two."
Earlier, the Indian opener was hospitalised due to a stomach infection, according to a BCCI source. The southpaw was not looking well during the team dinner at head coach Gautam Gambhir's residence on Sunday and was the first to leave the gathering.
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Thursday, February 12, 2026
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Namibia Captain Slams Organisers Ahead Of India Clash. Here Is The Reason
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus on Wednesday took a slight dig at the organisers for not scheduling their training sessions in the night ahead of their T20 World Cup game against India under lights. Namibia had played a day game against Netherlands on Monday and both their training sessions on the following two days were held in daylight. India, on the other hand, trained in the night twice in the lead up to the game. Considering Namibia don't have the infrastructure for day night games back home, they would have welcomed some time under lights ahead of the India match on Thursday.
"Yeah, we haven't been given a night training (session) before this game, I don't know why. I think India has two night training (sessions) and I see outside that Canada will have a night training now, so make of that what you want, but we'll just rock up and do our Namibian way, which is to fight," Erasmus said.
Canada, who take on the UAE in an afternoon game on Friday, trained alongside the Indian team at the Feroz Shah Kotla. That was not lost on Erasmus.
"We haven't got any (flood) lights in Namibia... the day/night games. Infrastructure wise it's probably the challenge for us, so yeah it's not a casual thing for guys that don't have (experience)...
"I think barring the guys who played in the Nepal Premier League and the ILT20 and the World Cups that we've played, you don't really get accustomed to lights and training under it very often," said Erasmus.
Namibia lost their opening game against the Netherlands and face USA and Pakistan in their remaining league fixtures. Both those games are scheduled to start at 3pm.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Sonam Hosts "Meaningful" Baby Shower, Kareena, Anil Kapoor And Others Attend
Sonam Kapoor, who is all set to become a mother again, shared a heartfelt note, offering a glimpse into her Seemantonnayan ceremony, calling the ancient ritual a deeply meaningful and emotional experience.
Taking to Instagram, Sonam shared a reel video of herself with her close ones, including Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shabana Azmi, Khushi Kapoor, Masaba Gupta, Anupam Kher, and Sanjay Kapoor, among many others.
She reflected on the significance of Seemantonnayan, the third of the sixteen sacred sanskars in Sanatan Dharma, often referred to as the “hair-parting ritual,” which honours the mother and the life she carries.
Sonam wrote, “Seemantonnayan the third of the sixteen sacred sanskars in Sanatan Dharma. Often called the “hair-parting ritual,” it honours the mother and the life she carries. Known as Godh Bharai, Shrimant, Dohale Jevan, Shaad, Seemantham, Valaikappu, Seemantha, Pulikkudi and Sadhabhakshan across different parts of India — the names may change, but the blessing remains the same: love, protection and celebration of new life.”
The ritual involves the hair of the expecting mother being parted by her husband to promote the healthy development of the fetus, ensure the mother's mental health, and provide protection from negative energies.
Describing the ceremony as special, Sonam shared that it felt even more meaningful because her closest friends and family members were present.
“This ancient ritual felt even more meaningful because all my best friends in the world showed up for me. My whole family did too. I felt so held. And to my mum, my mother-in-law, and my sister — thank you for organising everything and making me feel so deeply loved, cherished and celebrated. I will never forget this. A lap full of blessings. A heart overflowing with gratitude.”
It was in November 2025 that Sonam announced that she was all set to welcome her second bundle of joy.
Sonam took to Instagram, where she shared a picture of herself dressed in a striking hot-pink pure wool suit featuring oversized padded shoulders and a softly curved shoulder line.
She captioned the post, “MOTHER.”
Sonam Kapoor got married to businessman Anand Ahuja in a grand wedding ceremony in May 2018, after being in a relationship for several years. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, whom they named Vayu, in August 2022.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Video: Bihar Police Aspirant Drugged And Dragged Into Forced Marriage
A young man who was preparing for the Bihar Police recruitment exam was allegedly kidnapped, drugged, and forced to marry a girl against his will in Bihar's Samastipur district.
A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, showing the victim, Nitish Kumar, in a completely intoxicated state. During the "Varmala" ceremony, Nitish was unable to even hold the garland. The footage shows another man forcibly grabbing his hand to place the garland around the bride's neck.
लाइब्रेरी जाते वक्त लोगों ने करा दिया ‘पकड़ौआ विवाह'
— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) February 11, 2026
बिहार के समस्तीपुर जिले से एक बार फिर ‘पकड़ौआ विवाह' का मामला सामने आया है. यहां बिहार पुलिस भर्ती की तैयारी कर रहे एक युवक का कथित तौर पर अपहरण कर और उसे नशीला पदार्थ पिलाकर जबरन शादी करा दी गई#Bihar pic.twitter.com/s7rrNYXOAQ
Nitish Kumar's journey from being a bachelor to entering an unplanned wedlock is the latest addition to Bihar's history of 'Pakadwa Vivah' (forced marriage) or groom kidnapping, a phenomenon wherein unmarried men are forced to marry with a gun pointed at their heads.
Nitish, a resident of Jodi Pokhar village, released a video after the incident saying that on February 7, while he was on his way to a library, a group of men kidnapped him. He alleges he was beaten, drugged, and then taken to a temple in Morwa, where he was forcibly married to Lakshmi Kumari, daughter of Shankar Rai, a resident of Chakraja Ali village.
Nitish further alleged that following the ceremony, he was kept locked inside a room at his "in-laws" house to prevent him from calling for help.
As the video gained traction online, Samastipur police rescued Nitish from the house and brought him to the station for questioning.
Patori police station in-charge, Anil Kumar, said that an investigation is underway. Police said that they are checking the facts of the viral video and investigating whether the marriage was consensual or forced.
(With inputs from Avinash Kumar)
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When Nawazuddin Recalled Rajpal's House Being A "Langar" For Struggling Actors
Actor Rajpal Yadav's recent surrender at Tihar Jail in connection with a long-running cheque bounce and loan default case has brought renewed attention to his personal and professional journey.
Amid the legal developments, an old interview of Nawazuddin Siddiqui with The Lallantop has resurfaced, offering a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Rajpal.
What Did Nawazuddin Siddiqui Say About Rajpal Yadav?
Nawazuddin recalled that many struggling actors depended on Rajpal for basic sustenance.
He had said, "A lot of people would eat at his home when Rajpal began to get good work, and he never complained. He always helped people. Not just me, when a lot of actors were struggling, his house was like a langar. Anybody could come and eat there. He jokes a lot, but in reality, he is a very sensitive human being."
Nawazuddin and Rajpal's friendship began long before either became a familiar face in Hindi cinema. The two trained together at Bharatendu Natya Academy in Lucknow and later at the National School of Drama in New Delhi.
Speaking about their academic background, Nawazuddin had said, "We only took training in acting for five years. If we speak academically, Rajpal and I have the most education in this industry (in acting). We don't look like it, but we're the most educated actors here (laughs). He is an amazing human being."
About Rajpal Yadav's Case
In recent years, Rajpal has been battling severe financial distress. The legal case that culminated in his surrender dates back to 2010 and involves unpaid loans and dishonoured cheques issued to a lender.
After multiple cheques were returned unpaid, criminal proceedings were initiated under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
In April 2018, a magistrate's court convicted the actor and his wife in several cheque bounce cases, sentencing him to six months' imprisonment. The decision was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, following which he approached the Delhi High Court.
Although loan defaults are generally treated as civil matters, the High Court took a firm stance due to his repeated failure to honour payment commitments. He was granted several opportunities to clear his dues in instalments, but consistently missed deadlines.
The court later directed him to deposit Rs 1.35 crore in each of seven cases and ordered the release of deposited amounts to the complainant. In October 2025, he submitted two demand drafts worth Rs 75 lakh, yet nearly Rs 9 crore remained unpaid.
In June 2024, his sentence was temporarily suspended, with the court urging him to take "sincere and genuine measures" to resolve the matter. However, little progress followed. On February 2, 2026, the court instructed him to surrender by February 4. After failing to comply, his counsel's plea for more time was rejected.
On February 5, 2026, Rajpal appeared in court with a fresh repayment proposal, which was declined. He subsequently surrendered at Tihar Jail.
ALSO READ: How The Film Ata Pata Laapata Got Rajpal Yadav Sent To Tihar Jail In Rs 9-Crore Debt Case
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Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Auto sales up 18% in Jan on strong rural demand
New Delhi: Vehicle registrations, a proxy for retail sales, increased 18% from a year earlier in January to 2.72 million units thanks to sustained demand after tax cuts last year and improved cash flows in rural markets.Passenger vehicle sales rose by 7.2% to cross the half million mark in registrations last month, two-wheeler and commercial vehicle registrations grew by 21% and 15%, respectively, showed data collated by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (Fada) from the government's Vahan portal. Tractor sales rose 23% in January. Demand for construction equipment though continued to remain under pressure, declining by 21% on a high base.Auto sales had remained modest for most of calendar 2025, prior to the cuts in goods and services tax (GST) with effect from September 22. This led to a drop in vehicle prices, sparking a sales spurt.128172478 "January has delivered a strong, broad-based start to the calendar year," said CS Vigneshwar, president, Fada. "The growth was powered by continued post-GST momentum, healthy rural cash flows on the back of harvest and weddings, and sustained demand visibility across mobility and freight."Total vehicle registrations were supported by robust two-wheeler sales. While sales in rural areas climbed 20% last month, urban sales rose by 22%. Rural markets contributed as much as 56% of two-wheeler sales in January, supported by Pongal/Makar Sankranti festivals, marriage-season footfalls, and better affordability."We are also seeing a clear revival in urban markets-a healthy signal of demand normalisation beyond festive-only buying," said Vigneshwar. "Dealer feedback points to strong enquiry momentum driven by sharper customer engagement, quicker digital follow-ups, and a visible shift towards higher-value and mid-powered motorcycles."CV sales remained strong, indicating improving freight sentiment and replacement-led buying. The uptrend is visible across tonnage bands, with light commercial vehicle sales growing by 15% to 65,505 units, and heavy commercial vehicle by 15% to 34,287 units.
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How Akshaye Khanna Reacted When Kangana Ranaut Tried To Flirt With Him
A resurfaced clip from Koffee With Karan has once again brought Akshaye Khanna's reserved personality into the spotlight. As the actor enjoys renewed attention for his performance in Dhurandhar, an old confession by Kangana Ranaut about trying to flirt with him - and getting no response - has gone viral.
When Kangana Ranaut Recalled Being Ignored By Akshaye Khanna
The moment dates back to Season 3 of Koffee With Karan, when Kangana Ranaut appeared on the show alongside Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt. During a candid chat, host Karan Johar asked if she had ever tried to flirt with someone who completely ignored her.
Kangana did not hesitate before naming Akshaye Khanna. She replied, "I tried to talk to him, but he never spoke to me. He doesn't talk, he doesn't talk to anybody."
Backing her statement, Anil Kapoor added humorously, "Yeah, she told me ki yaar yeh dekhta hi nahi hai meri taraf (he doesn't even look at me)."
The revelation amused both the audience and the guests. Kangana and Akshaye had previously worked together in the 2010 film No Problem.
Over the years, several of Akshaye Khanna's co-stars have spoken about his reserved nature on set. Known for staying in his own zone, the actor rarely indulges in small talk and prefers to focus on his work.
What's Next For Akshaye Khanna?
Currently, Akshaye is enjoying a wave of appreciation following his role in Aditya Dhar's spy thriller Dhurandhar, where he shared screen space with Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and others.
Looking ahead, the actor is set to make his Telugu debut with the PVCU film Mahakali. In the film, Akshaye will play Shukracharya.
He will also appear in the Netflix courtroom drama Ikka alongside Sunny Deol, reuniting with his Border co-star after 29 years.
ALSO READ: After Akshaye Khanna's Exit From Drishyam 3, Prakash Raj Says "Not Replacing Anyone"
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Concern For India As Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Looms: Abhishek Sharma Misses Training
India opener Abhishek Sharma skipped Thursday's training session as he continues to recover from a stomach upset, casting a small cloud over his availability even as the team stepped up preparations for the T20 World Cup game against Namibia. "Yeah, Washington joined the team yesterday, he'll train today. Abhi's still got a few issues with his tummy; we hope he'll be available for the game in a few days' time," assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said ahead of the match against Namibia on Thursday.
There was reassuring news on Jasprit Bumrah. The spearhead looked fully fit, initially taking a few easy strides to get a feel before changing his spikes and bowling at full tilt to skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
During one fiery spell, Bumrah beat Surya for pace and forced him to play on to his stumps - a reminder of just how sharp the premier quick can be at full fitness.
"He's been off for 10 days without bowling, but he's feeling a lot better and moving a lot better, so we'll see how training goes for them and get the team together on Friday," ten Doeschate added.
The two batters who appeared in complete control during the session were Suryakumar and Tilak Varma.
Varun Chakravarthy might be a problem for batters across the globe, but the manner in which the duo handled the mystery spinner was striking.
Surya effortlessly slog-swept him behind square, while Tilak launched a towering blow - a nearly 100-metre six that landed in the top tier, drawing appreciative looks from teammates.
All-rounder Washington Sundar, who rejoined the squad after his recent injury lay-off, looked a touch ginger during the initial fielding drills and did not bowl in the early part of the session.
He was seen engaged in a long discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir near the boundary ropes before ambling across to the pacers' nets for another detailed conversation with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
Later in the session, Washington and Kuldeep Yadav took turns bowling to Tilak Varma - an encouraging sign as the team assesses his recovery from the side strain and rib injury.
With Abhishek on the mend, Washington gradually easing back into bowling and Bumrah roaring back to full rhythm, India's think-tank has a few selection calls to make before match day.
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Monday, February 9, 2026
Bangladesh's Plea To Pakistan Over Playing India: "For The Benefit Of Cricket..."
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made a surprising appeal to Pakistan after weeks of boycott drama that threatened the "biggest cricket match" of the T20 World Cup 2026. The BCB, which met with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), wrote a letter to its Pakistani counterparts requesting that they play against India. This effectively means that an official announcement regarding Pakistan making a U-turn on its boycott threat could come at any moment.
BCB president Md Aminul Islam said in the letter: "We are deeply moved by Pakistan's efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish.
"Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday, and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem."
Sources have already told NDTV that the India vs Pakistan match is on. Now, after Bangladesh's letter, it appears likely that Pakistan will announce the decision officially as well. While Aminul's letter might make it seem as though Bangladesh is taking a generous stand "for the benefit of cricket," in reality, it appears to be more of a face-saving proposal for Pakistan. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had publicly stated that the country would boycott the India match. A reversal now would not only dent the Pakistan Cricket Board's reputation but also impact the country's image. Hence, the letter seems intended to provide optics that could help Pakistan avoid further criticism from its own people.
Media reports in Pakistan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received a call from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged him to withdraw the boycott call. Geo News reported that Sharif responded by assuring that Pakistan would play against India.
Acknowledging hectic parleys with the ICC, also involving his Bangladesh counterpart Aminul Islam, Naqvi said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is waiting for a response from the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on certain issues. The game against India is scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 15
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US Military Bases In The Gulf Under Iran's Ballistic Missile Shadow
Amid threats of a war with the US, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ruled out the fact that Tehran could ever give up enrichment of uranium in its negotiations with Washington and also said that the military deployment in the region "does not scare us".
After US President Donald Trump threatened Iran and said that a "massive armada" was "moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose" towards Iran, Araghchi said that Tehran was ready "with their fingers on the trigger" to "immediately and powerfully respond" to any aggression.
On Saturday, Araghchi warned that Iran will target US bases in the Gulf if America launches an attack. "It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region," Araghchi told Al Jazeera.
"We will not attack neighbouring countries; rather, we will target US bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two," he added.
Iranian clergymen watch a Shahab-3 long-range ballistic missile fird by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the desert outside the holy city of Qom, 02 November 2006
Photo Credit: AFP
Last year Iran unleashed around 500 missiles on Israel, although they did not damage much. However, the US military is taking Iran's missile threat seriously.
Per the Wall Street Journal, Iran has an estimated 2,000 midrange ballistic missiles that can attack across the region. It also has short-range missiles that can reach US bases in the Gulf.
"In the absence of any meaningful air force and air defences and with decimated allies and nuclear capabilities, Iran's ballistic missiles now constitute the backbone of Iran's deterrence," Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, told the Washington Post. "They are like a Swiss Army knife for the regime – for coercion, defence and punishment all at once."
A long-range Qadr ballistic missile is launched in the Alborz mountain range in northern Iran on March 9, 2016
Photo Credit: AFP
Here are major US bases and infrastructure across the Middle East that Iran's main midrange ballistic missiles can reach.
Missile: The Khorramshahr is considered Iran's most powerful and advanced liquid-fuelled missile. It has an "ultra-heavy" warhead that can reach ranges of 2,000 kilometres. This range places all of Israel, numerous US military bases across the Middle East, and parts of southeastern Europe within their strike radius.
Bases it can reach: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, US Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Bahrain and other bases in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Missile: The Sejjil medium-range ballistic missile can also reach ranges of 2,000 and is capable of reaching targets across the Middle East, including Israel, and parts of southeastern Europe.
Bases it can reach: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, US Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Bahrain, multiple facilities including Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, and other significant US assets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey.
Missile: The Emad and Ghadr-1 are advanced medium-range ballistic missiles and can reach ranges of 1,700 kilometres.
Bases it can reach: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, US Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Bahrain, multiple facilities including Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, Al Dhafra Air Base in UAE, Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and bases in Jordan and Syria.
Missile: The Fattah-1, Haj Qasem, and Kheibar Shekan are prominent members of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, primarily developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with ranges of 1,400 kilometres.
Bases it can reach: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Bases in Kuwait, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, US Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Bahrain, Al Dhafra Air Base in UAE, and bases in Jordan and Syria.
Missile: The Dezful is an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres.
Bases it can reach: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ain al-Assad Air Base in Iraq, Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, US Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Bahrain, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and locations in eastern Saudi Arabia such as Prince Sultan Air Base.
The majority of US bases in the Gulf are within the range of at least one type of Iranian ballistic missile.
Read | Is US Going To Attack Iran? What We Know So Far
The US military buildup in the region follows Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests that began in late December, sparked by economic grievances. The authorities in Iran have acknowledged that 3,117 people were killed in the recent protests, publishing on Sunday a list of 2,986 names, most of whom they say were members of the security forces and innocent bystanders.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which has kept a running toll since the onset of the protests, says it has verified 6,961 deaths, mostly protesters, and has another 11,630 cases under investigation.
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