Foreign portfolio investors once again turned towards Dalal Street to shop for Indian equities, spending in Rs 33,487 crore across 15 sectors, in the first half of February. The bulk of the inflows went into capital goods, financial services and oil & gas stocks, marking the strongest fortnightly buying seen since the second half of April 2025. Capital goods stocks attracted the highest inflows, drawing Rs 8,032 crore between February 1 and 15, compared with Rs 2,761 crore in January. The government’s Rs 4,470 crore stake sale in BHEL partly supported the sector’s momentum. “The capital goods sector has underperformed the market, and there was nothing negative in the budget on the sector which could have prompted global investors to reallocate funds,” said Siddarth Bhamre, head of Research, Asit C Mehta Intermediates told ET. According to Rajesh Singhla, CEO & fund manager at Alpha AIF, the US-India trade deal framework announced in the first week of February also lifted sentiment in segments such as capital goods, textiles, gems and jewellery, helping draw foreign money. Financial services witnessed a turnaround, receiving Rs 6,175 crore in the first fortnight of February after facing outflows of Rs 8,592 crore in January. Singhla said strong third-quarter earnings from banks and financial companies may have supported investor interest, although he noted that valuations in the sector remain unappealing. Foreign investors also bought Rs 4,678 crore worth of oil & gas shares during the period.Why is IT still failing to attract? Despite the broader buying, overseas investors continued to exit some sectors. They sold Rs 13,812 crore across eight sectors in the first half of February, with information technology bearing the brunt. IT alone accounted for more than Rs 10,000 crore of the outflows. The sector has been under sustained pressure in 2025, with nearly Rs 75,000 crore worth of shares offloaded so far, the highest among all sectors, amid concerns that AI-led disruption could affect the outlook for software services exporters. “Fears of AI making the sector less labour-intensive could spark further selling,” said Bhamre. “Overseas investors have shifted allocation from services to pockets in the real economy in this fortnight.” Market performance reflects the trend. The Nifty IT index has declined nearly 15% so far this year, compared with a 2.6% drop in the benchmark Nifty. Singhla, however, suggested the sell-off may have been excessive. “The foreign selling in IT stocks was due to fears of the earnings trending lower as the threat of disruptions due to AI loomed large, but most of the selling was sentimental, and the sell-off was an overreaction,” he said.

NEW DELHI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday indicated that a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump would take place at an appropriate time, while highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries in artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains. Gor underlined the importance that US President Donald Trump attaches to India, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited him to visit the country.“Stay tuned, I’m sure it’ll happen at the right moment,” Gor told ANI on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit when asked about the possibility of a meeting between PM Modi and Trump.On the prospect of a presidential visit, Gor said, “…In terms of the President’s visit, the Prime Minister invited him. I don’t have any announcements for you soon. The president loved his visit to India. When he nominated me to be ambassador here, one thing he said is the vibrancy, the colour, the history and the culture that you’re gonna see in India is unmatched, and so I’m sure he will be back here at some point.”The remarks came as India signed the Pax Silica Declaration alongside US officials including Ambassador Eric Garcetti and Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg. The initiative, led by the US Department of State, focuses on collaboration in artificial intelligence and strengthening secure semiconductor supply chains among trusted partners.Gor described the partnership as a turning point in bilateral ties.“We’re thrilled that India joined Pax Silica… If you saw the companies that are represented here today, this is an incredible partnership for both of our nations, and we look forward to taking it to the next level.”In his keynote address at the summit, Gor said that by signing the initiative, both nations had chosen to win. He described the evolving bilateral relationship as a “coalition of the capable and the willing” and formally welcomed India as a co founder of the Pax Silica coalition. He said the partnership between the world’s two largest democracies is now “limitless.”He added that the initiative seeks to ensure that the “commanding heights” of technology remain in the hands of free nations.Highlighting technology cooperation, Gor said, “We’re looking for initiatives where the United States and India can work together. And Pax Silica leads at that, AI leads at that. We’re coming here with a message to India that our stacks, our abilities, our AI technology is something that we want to work with Indian companies with. We’re not offering that to everyone around the world. It’s something that we bring specially here to this place.“Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the declaration as a significant step for India’s growing semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. Addressing the summit, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.“We are not just holding a summit here; we are building the future. We are laying the foundation for the young generation,” Vaishnaw said, adding that India’s youth would drive and benefit from decades of sustained growth.Jacob Helberg, United States Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, also welcomed India’s participation in the initiative.He said Pax Silica underscores the importance of economic security translating into national security and stands in the face of coercion and blackmail undermining the prosperity of nations.Helberg described Pax Silica as the declaration that “the future belongs to those who build and when free people join forces.”“We do not wait for the future to be given to us. We build it ourselves,” he said.He also praised Ambassador Sergio Gor for strengthening ties between New Delhi and Washington, calling it a testament “to the vital importance that the United States places on this friendship.”The development comes shortly after India participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month, represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Whatever the verdict, the case is already forcing an on-the-record look at how a top-tier advisory firm defines “essential” in a profession. (AI image)

A Manhattan federal jury is about to take up an unusually blunt workplace question: Can an investment bank lawfully fire a junior banker who insists on a protected sleep window as a disability accommodation? The case pits former Centerview Partners analyst Kathryn Shiber against the elite M&A boutique after she was dismissed weeks into a “guardrails” arrangement that carved out nine hours of rest per night, according to the Financial Times.The legal fight turns on whether extreme, unpredictable availability is truly an “essential function” of the analyst job or simply a culturally enforced expectation. As federal judge Edgardo Ramos put it in an order moving the case toward trial: “There is a genuine dispute [about] whether the ability to be available at all hours of the day and to work long, unpredictable hours is an essential function of the analyst role,” per court records.Shiber says she was pushed out not because she couldn’t do the work, but because she needed consistent sleep to manage a diagnosed mood and anxiety disorder, the FT reported.Why it mattersWall Street’s junior-banker grind has been a simmering flashpoint since pandemic-era deal surges, when complaints about punishing schedules and chronic sleep deprivation spilled into public view and forced some banks to tinker with “protected” time off, the FT noted.What makes this case more than a culture-war curiosity is that it asks a jury to draw a line between:• High-intensity work that’s legitimately inherent to the job, and• Work patterns that persist because “that’s how it’s always been,” even if they collide with disability law.Legal scholars are watching because trials like this are rare. Disability-law professor Katherine Macfarlane told the FT it was “incredibly unusual” for an Americans with Disabilities Act case like Shiber’s to reach a jury, and she added it would be “slightly absurd [to be] in court arguing that people have to be available 24 hours a day, that’s your expectation . . . The number of people that would preclude is pretty big.”Zoom inShiber joined Centerview in 2020 as a 21-year-old junior analyst. Soon after she started, the firm agreed to a trade: a guaranteed nine-hour nightly sleep period in exchange for being reachable essentially all other times, seven days a week, the FT reported.Then the arrangement collapsed fast. Less than three weeks after Centerview implemented the terms, Shiber was terminated on a video call, and Centerview’s COO chastised her for pursuing investment banking given her rest requirements, according to the FT.The underlying workplace conflict traces to a live deal assignment (“Project Dragon”), where Shiber logged off after midnight without messaging senior teammates working on a client presentation; she was reprimanded and then contacted HR to disclose her medical need for sleep, per the FT.Centerview’s position is that the accommodation wasn’t viable beyond the very short term. In filings, the bank said there was “no reasonable accommodation available” if she required eight to nine hours of consistent sleep each night, and it argued junior bankers “are known to work long and often unpredictable hours, a consequence of the job of an investment banker”, the FT reported.Between the linesAt trial, the fight won’t just be about how many hours analysts work. It’s about which hours matter, and whether the midnight-to-morning stretch is operationally essential or merely tradition.John Jacobi, a visiting professor at Columbia Law School, framed the key issue to the FT this way: a central question is “whether it is actually essential that someone be available at three in the morning” – and whether the firm followed an “interactive process” to explore workable options.That “interactive process” point matters because many disability-accommodation disputes hinge less on a single policy than on whether the employer and employee genuinely tried to problem-solve before the relationship broke down.The case is also expected to spotlight the social machinery of junior banking: constant coordination, rapid iteration, and informal norms about when you’re allowed to step away. Centerview has tried to frame Shiber’s sleep window as a communication and teamwork problem as much as a time-off request, saying: “Junior bankers obviously don’t need permission to go to sleep, but are expected to work together and communicate properly with teammates,” according to reporting summarized in Business Insider coverage.What nextThe jury will effectively be asked to decide whether round-the-clock availability is part of the job’s core function or an employer preference that can be adjusted without breaking the role. Judge Ramos’ refusal to end the case early underscores how fact-intensive that question is – and why it’s headed to jurors rather than being resolved on paperwork alone.Expect the courtroom battle to revolve around:• Job reality vs. job description: Whether Centerview can substantiate that overnight availability is indispensable, especially if written expectations weren’t clearly codified and communicated (a point raised in prior reporting on the dispute).• Feasibility of coverage: Whether teammates could adjust workflows, staffing, or handoffs without undermining client service and deal execution.• Accommodation efforts: Whether Centerview’s short-lived guardrails were a genuine attempt at accommodation or a stopgap that set Shiber up to fail.• Damages: Shiber is seeking millions, including lost earnings and “emotional distress,” the FT reported, while Centerview disputes the premise that the role can be done with a fixed sleep block.Bigger picture: Whatever the verdict, the case is already forcing an on-the-record look at how a top-tier advisory firm defines “essential” in a profession that often treats exhaustion as a rite of passage.

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, left, and Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha (AP)

India’s blockbuster T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan on February 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad not only delivered fireworks on the field but also set staggering digital records off it. JioStar, the official digital and broadcast partner of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, announced that the fixture recorded an unprecedented digital reach of 163 million, making it the highest for any ICC T20 World Cup match, surpassing even the 2024 final between India and South Africa. The scintillating performance by the Men in Blue also contributed to a 56% growth in reach over the India-Pakistan clash during the 2024 edition. Fans tuned in for a whopping 20 billion minutes of total watch time across all screens, reflecting immense engagement.

On the field, India made a ruthless statement, comfortably defeating Pakistan by 61 runs to secure a place in the Super Eight stage unbeaten. After electing to field first, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s surprise move to bowl in the opening over produced an early wicket, dismissing Abhishek Sharma. But Ishan Kishan immediately turned the tide with a power-packed display, asserting dominance from the start. Pulling Shaheen Shah Afridi for a six on the first ball, Kishan continued to attack, supported by Tilak Varma as India racked up 52 for 1 after six overs, Kishan contributing 42 off just 25 balls.Kishan’s blitz extended beyond the powerplay, hitting a 27-ball fifty and ending with a brilliant 77 off 40 balls, before being dismissed by Saim Ayub. Pakistan relied heavily on spin, using six spinners in the innings—the most ever by a team in a T20 World Cup and joint-most by a Full Member in a T20I. Saim Ayub impressed, removing Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya and finishing with 3 wickets for 25 runs, nearly claiming a hat-trick. India closed their innings at 175 for 7, bolstered by contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (32), Shivam Dube (27), and Rinku Singh (11).Pakistan’s chase never gained traction. Hardik Pandya dismissed Shahibzada Farhan for a duck, followed by Saim Ayub and Jasprit Bumrah dismantling the middle order. Even Salman Ali Agha and Babar Azam faltered under pressure, while Usman Khan’s 44 off 34 balls was the only bright spark. India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (2/17), Axar Patel (2/29), and Varun Chakravarthy (2/16), ensured Pakistan was bowled out for 114 in 17.5 overs, sealing a one-sided victory.Brief Scores:India: 175/7 (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32, Shivam Dube 27; Saim Ayub 3/25)Pakistan: 114 all out (Usman Khan 44; Jasprit Bumrah 2/17, Axar Patel 2/29, Varun Chakravarthy 2/16)

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday appeared before the MP MLA court in Sultanpur and recorded his statement in connection with a 2018 criminal defamation case linked to his alleged remarks about Union home minister Amit Shah. He later left the court premises after attending the hearing.Next hearing for the case is scheduled for March 9. The case stems from statements Gandhi allegedly made during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign. A complaint was filed on August 4, 2018, by Vijay Mishra, a BJP leader in Sultanpur, alleging that Gandhi made objectionable and defamatory remarks against Amit Shah at an election rally in Bengaluru.

According to the complaint, Rahul Gandhi had said that while the BJP claims to believe in honest and clean politics, it is led by a “party president who is an accused in a murder case”. At the time, Amit Shah was serving as the BJP national president.The remarks referred to the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case. However, in 2014, a special CBI court in Mumbai had discharged Shah in the matter when he was Gujarat’s home minister. The complainant contended that Gandhi’s statement was defamatory and harmed Shah’s reputation.The Sultanpur MP MLA court later took cognisance of the complaint. In December last year, the court issued a warrant against Gandhi after he failed to appear in person.On February 20, 2024, Gandhi appeared before the court, surrendered and was granted bail. His counsel moved an application seeking bail, which was allowed after two sureties of Rs 25,000 each were submitted. The court subsequently fixed March 2 for the next hearing.In July 2024, Gandhi recorded his first statement before the court, denying the allegations and terming the case politically motivated.Following the cross examination of the complainant and witnesses, the court in January 2026 directed Gandhi to appear personally for examination under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This stage allows the accused to explain the evidence presented against him.His appearance on Friday was in compliance with that directive.The case is among several defamation matters filed against the Congress leader over remarks made during political campaigns. Gandhi has maintained that such cases are politically driven, while Congress leaders have said they have faith in the judiciary.Further proceedings in the matter are expected as the court continues to examine the evidence and hear arguments from both sides.

MUMBAI: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday met Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Nandanvan, in Mumbai, to extend an invitation for the wedding of his son, Arjun Tendulkar.During the meeting, Tendulkar, accompanied by his wife Anjali, and the deputy chief minister also discussed various matters, with a particular focus on sports-related issues.On Wednesday, Tendulkar, along with Anjali Tendulkar, had met Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to invite him to their son Arjun’s wedding with Saaniya Chandhok.Sachin Tendulkar has also extended invitations to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for the wedding ceremony of Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok.Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya got engaged in August last year.The 26-year-old Arjun has played five Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for the Mumbai Indians (MI), taking three wickets while conceding 114 runs. He has also scored 13 runs in his IPL career so far. In domestic cricket, he currently represents Goa, having made his Mumbai debut in 2021.Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Arjun was traded from the Mumbai Indians to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and is set to represent LSG this season. While MI parted ways with Arjun, they secured leg-spinner Mayank Markande in a trade with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Arjun was initially picked up by the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2021 mini-auction for ₹20 lakh but did not feature in any matches that season.MI bought him again for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega-auction, and he made his long-awaited IPL debut in 2023, taking three wickets in four games. Ahead of IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as MI captain, and Arjun appeared in only one match that season.In the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Arjun went unsold in the initial round but was later acquired by MI at his base price of Rs 30 lakh in the accelerated round. He did not get a game that season and remained on the bench.Saaniya Chandhok hails from a prominent family background. She is the granddaughter of Ravi Ghai, Chairman of the Graviss Group. She has also been a close friend of the Tendulkar family, particularly Arjun’s sister Sara Tendulkar, for several years. (With agency inputs)

Venture into the tranquil home of Rajinikanth, the legendary superstar, where his Poes Garden bungalow radiates simplicity and grace. Priced at Rs 35 crore, the space boasts understated interiors featuring rich wood detailing and soothing neutral colors, echoing the essence of his humble spirit.

Legendary star Rajinikanth’s house is like entering a movie star’s home and more like discovering the quiet soul of a legend. The ‘Coolie’ star lives in a beautiful bungalow at 18 Raghava Veera Avenue, Poes Garden, Chennai. The house sits in one of the most well-known areas of Chennai. This home is not just a building. It holds memories, values, and years of love from people.

Minimal interiors

As we reported in the 2024 report, his house is reportedly valued at around Rs 35 crore, the interiors stay clean and minimal. Woodwork covers many parts of the house. Soft and plain colors fill the rooms. The marble flooring looks shiny and cool. In addition to it, the entrance has a large wooden door with mirrored glass panels. Inside, the walls stay calm with neutral shades. Wooden shelves hold awards, photos, and small memories. These things show his long journey, someone has completed 50 years in cinema.

A look at the kitchen

The kitchen has a touch of old and new styles. Red granite countertops add color and strength. A modern electric chimney keeps the space fresh. The design stays simple and easy to use. Natural light fills the area. The kitchen feels warm and practical. It matches his simple way of living.

Green outdoors and everyday moments

A green lawn surrounds the house. Trees, plants, and smooth stones create peace. A stone path runs through the garden. This outdoor space feels fresh and open. Rajinikanth often meets people and the media here. He welcomes them with warmth and ease. Beyond this home, he owns a peaceful white house in Pune. It feels bright and quiet. In Chennai, he also owns a wedding hall.On the work front, he is working with another Tamil legend, Kamal Haasan, for the upcoming movies, tentatively named ‘Thalivar 173’ and ‘Thalivar 174.’

The much-awaited battle between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women kicks off today at the picturesque National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. With ICC Women’s Championship points on the line, both teams are looking to establish dominance early in this three-match ODI series.

The series serves as a critical litmus test for two teams that rely heavily on their world-class captains. While the West Indies enjoy the home-ground advantage and the return of some legendary firepower, Sri Lanka arrive with the momentum of a side that has become a giant killer in recent months.

West Indies: Experience reigns supreme

The Windies boast a ‘Golden Generation’ roster. With Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews, and Deandra Dottin in the same XI, they have arguably the most experienced trio in women’s cricket. The emergence of youngsters like Jannillea Glasgow provides the necessary youthful energy to balance the veterans.

Sri Lanka: The rising force

Sri Lanka’s success almost always mirrors the form of star captain Chamari Athapaththu. However, they are no longer a one-woman show. Vishmi Gunaratne has shown she can handle the opening duties, and Kavisha Dilhari has evolved into one of the best young all-rounders in the game. Their ability to rotate strike and build partnerships will be key against the Windies’ aggressive bowling.

WI-W vs SL-W, ODI series, Complete Schedule

Also READ: West Indies unveil 15-member Women’s squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka

WI-W vs SL-W, Squads

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Jannillea Glasgow, Stafanie Taylor, Jahzara Claxton, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shawnisha Hector, Ashmini Munisar, Realeanna Grimmond, Shunelle Sawh, Chinelle Henry

Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Imesha Dulani, Rashmika Sewwandi, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Madushani

Broadcast & Live Streaming Details

• India: FanCode
• Caribbean Islands: ESPN Caribbean, Disney+

Also READ: WI-W vs SL-W, 1st ODI, Match Prediction: Who will win today’s game between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women?

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

MUMBAI: Indian teacher and activist Rouble Nagi on Thurdsay has been awarded the Global Teacher Prize 2026, the largest prize in the world for educators. The award, worth $1 million, was presented at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, recognising her decade-long efforts to provide quality education to children in underprivileged communities.Who is Rouble Nagi?Rouble Nagi is both a teacher and an artist who has dedicated her career to educating children who rarely attend formal schools. She is the founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, which uses art, murals, and creative methods to make learning engaging and accessible. Starting her work about ten years ago in the slums of Mumbai, Nagi transforms walls and neglected spaces into open-air classrooms where children learn literacy, numeracy, science, history, and other subjects through colourful and interactive murals.Over the years, Nagi’s foundation has established more than 800 learning centres across India, helping children who have never been to school, as well as those already enrolled but struggling to keep up. She also trains and mentors over 600 volunteer and paid educators to deliver lessons tailored to the academic level and social circumstances of each child.Nagi’s programmes are designed to tackle challenges such as poverty, child labour, early marriage, irregular attendance, and lack of basic facilities. She has introduced flexible schedules, practical lessons using recycled materials, and skill-based teaching that benefits both children and their families.In addition to her work with children, Nagi runs the Misaal India initiative, which provides skill training for women, helping them gain financial independence and start their own businesses.Accepting the award, Nagi said that recognition of work built on education, compassion, consistency, and service motivates her to continue supporting children at the margins of society. She also plans to use the prize money to establish an institute providing free vocational training for students.Sunny Varkey, founder of the Global Teacher Prize and GEMS Education, praised Nagi, saying she represents “the very best of what teaching can be — courage, creativity and compassion”. Francis Joseph, CEO of GEMS Education, said Nagi’s influence extended beyond conventional classrooms. Stefania Giannini, Unesco’s assistant director-general for education, said the award reaffirmed a “simple truth: teachers matter”.Rouble Nagi is the 10th recipient of the Global Teacher Prize, launched in 2015. Past winners include educators from Kenya, Palestine, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, recognised for their innovative and impactful work with disadvantaged students.