NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Centre over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, saying it was reflective of “Abki baar Trump se haar” and should be put in “cold storage.”His remarks came amid confusion following a US Supreme Court verdict striking down President Donald Trump’s earlier global tariffs.He said the terms of the framework must be renegotiated and the clause on import liberalisation, especially of agricultural products, scrapped, arguing that India had conceded without adequate gains.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a slogan in Houston in 2019 — ‘Abki baar Trump Sarkaar’ but this framework for an interim agreement is proof of ‘Abki baar Trump se haar’,” he told PTI.Ramesh pointed out that the framework allows either side to modify commitments in case of changes, and said India had the right to revise its obligations after Trump altered tariffs. “The first commitment we have made is to reduce or eliminate tariffs on a wide range of food and agricultural products. Our demand to the PM is to put this in cold storage,” he said.According to him, India had committed to eliminate or cut import duties on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products — a provision that should be changed under the joint statement. He warned that soybean, maize, fruits and nuts, and cotton farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh would be directly affected.“Our second question is that when the PM, the commerce minister (Piyush Goyal), knew from December that any time (now) the Supreme Court verdict could come, many believed that it could be struck down. Why did you hurriedly strike a deal when you knew the verdict could go against Trump,” he said.“I hope in light of the massive confusion that surrounds this issue, this joint statement is put on cold storage, we renegotiate the terms, this is a one-sided deal. This will be detrimental to the interests of lakhs and lakhs of farmers in different states of the country,” Ramesh added.Questioning the timing of the announcement, he asked what happened on February 2 that led the prime minister to “force” President Trump to announce the trade deal. “This is directly linked to Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s attack in Parliament on the PM on the failures on the external security front. So this announcement of the deal was part of managing the news and the headlines,” he alleged.Sharpening his campaign, Ramesh said the Congress would organise a “Maha Kisan Maha Chaupal” in multiple states to mobilise farmers and discuss the potential fallout of the evolving trade deal.“We’ll have a Maha Kisan Maha Chaupal in Bhopal, in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, on 7th March, and later in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. We’re in touch with farmers’ organisations. We’ll work with them too. Three black laws were withdrawn. It took 14-15 months, but PM Modi was forced to withdraw them. Prime Minister does ‘taareef’, while Trump keeps imposing ‘tariffs’. I’m telling you this based on President Trump’s statements,” he told ANI.The remarks came days after the US Supreme Court struck down most of Trump’s sweeping tariff measures, ruling 6-3 that the administration exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose broad import tariffs. The Court held that the power to levy taxes rests primarily with Congress.Following the ruling, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global tariff on all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a temporary import surcharge of up to 15 per cent for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits. He later raised it to the “fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” effective immediately.

Six of ten most-valued companies saw their market capitalisation soar by Rs 63,478.46 crore last week, fueled by strong gains in Larsen & Toubro and State Bank of India. The broader market also moved modestly higher, with the 30-share BSE Sensex rising 187.95 points, or 0.22%, during the week. Among the top firms, Larsen & Toubro, State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Bajaj Finance and Reliance Industries posted gains. However, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services registered declines in their valuations. Larsen & Toubro led the weekly gains, adding Rs 28,523.31 crore to take its market valuation to Rs 6,02,552.24 crore. State Bank of India also recorded a significant rise, with its mcap increasing by Rs 16,015.12 crore to Rs 11,22,581.56 crore. HDFC Bank’s valuation rose by Rs 9,617.56 crore to Rs 14,03,239.48 crore, while LIC added Rs 5,977.12 crore, pushing its market worth to Rs 5,52,203.92 crore. Bajaj Finance’s market capitalisation climbed Rs 3,142.36 crore to Rs 6,40,387 crore. Reliance Industries saw a marginal uptick of Rs 202.99 crore, taking its total valuation to Rs 19,21,678.78 crore. On the downside, Bharti Airtel recorded the sharpest fall among the laggards, with its mcap dropping Rs 15,338.66 crore to Rs 11,27,705.37 crore. ICICI Bank followed with a decline of Rs 14,632.10 crore, bringing its valuation to Rs 9,97,346.67 crore. Infosys lost Rs 6,791.58 crore in market value to Rs 5,48,496.14 crore, while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) slipped by Rs 1,989.95 crore to Rs 9,72,053.48 crore. Reliance Industries continued to hold the top spot among the country’s most-valued firms. It was followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Life Insurance Corporation of India and Infosys.

CHENNAI: A day after it was reported that music director A R Rahman had informed the Supreme Court that he is willing to display late Ustad M Faiyazuddin Dagar and his nephew in the credits to the song Veera Raja Veera from the film Ponniyin Selvan II, Rahman’s advocate has issued a clarification stating that the claims of authorship by the junior Dagar Brothers over the composition of ‘Shiva Stuti’ and the allegations of copyright infringement have been categorically denied and disputed.“These positions, as upheld by the division bench of the Delhi high court, remain fully intact and unaffected by the clarification to the credits given before the apex court,” Rahman’s advocate Narmadha Sampath said in a note released to the media.The Supreme Court (SC) has disposed of the SLP filed by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar challenging the judgment of the division bench of the Delhi high court. The SC did not interfere with the judgment of the division bench of the Delhi high court and has not expressed any view on the merits of the dispute, she said.“During the hearing, the SC encouraged the parties to explore an amicable resolution. In that context, it was indicated that the existing credit accompanying the composition, which had previously acknowledged the Dagarvani Dhrupad tradition across all platforms would be supplemented to state that the junior Dagar Brothers were the first to record the composition ‘Shiva Stuti’,” the note added.The acknowledgment of the Dagarvani tradition was a pre-existing and voluntary credit reflected well before any proceedings were initiated and independent of any interim orders passed in the suit, she pointed out.“In the suit proceedings pending before the Delhi high court, the claims of authorship by the junior Dagar Brothers over the composition and the allegations of copyright infringement have been categorically denied and disputed. These positions, as upheld by the division bench of the Delhi high court, remain fully intact and unaffected by the aforesaid clarification to the credits,” Narmadha Sampath said.All questions relating to authorship, originality, and alleged infringement remain open until proven in the court and will be determined in accordance with law, the note concluded.

The stage is perfectly set for a high-voltage showdown at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as unbeaten India lock horns with a confident South African side at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22. There’s more than just points at stake – this is a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, and both teams arrive with flawless group-stage records and serious momentum.

India have looked clinical so far, winning all four of their matches to top Group A with eight points. South Africa have matched that intensity, cruising through Group D with four wins of their own. Neither side has blinked yet – and that’s what makes this clash so mouthwatering.

For India, Axar Patel is likely to return at his home ground, adding balance with both bat and ball. The team management still has a tough call to make between Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh, though the seam-friendly Ahmedabad pitch could tilt things in Arshdeep’s favour. South Africa, meanwhile, are expected to restore their strongest XI, with David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada all set to return after being rested.

Ishan Kishan has been India’s batting engine, piling up 176 runs in four innings, while Varun Chakravarthy’s nine wickets have choked oppositions in the middle overs. For the Proteas, captain Aiden Markram’s explosive powerplay strike rate has set the tone.

Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report, T20I Stats and Records

The Narendra Modi Stadium has built a reputation over the years as a venue where batters can truly express themselves. The surface generally offers good value for shots, with the ball coming onto the bat smoothly and consistently. For this high-profile clash, a shaved black-soil pitch has been prepared – a type of wicket traditionally associated with pace, reliable bounce, and the potential for big scores.

One of the standout features of this surface is its true bounce and even pace, which gives stroke-makers the confidence to play through the line. Fast bowlers may get some early help, particularly in the first few overs, where there could be a bit of extra carry and slight seam movement to keep things interesting. However, once the shine fades, batting is expected to get easier.

Spinners might not find a great deal of turn, especially under lights, as gripping the ball could become challenging. The large outfield is another factor – while well-timed shots will still fetch boundaries, many good strokes may result in singles and twos rather than fours.

Although the pitch can slow down as the match progresses, the expected evening dew should help balance conditions and prevent it from becoming too sluggish. Interestingly, this surface has evolved over time. Once considered more bowler-friendly, it now tends to offer a slight edge to batters, setting the stage for a competitive and potentially high-scoring contest.

Also READ: IND vs SA, T20 World Cup 2026 Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between India and South Africa?

Narendra Modi Stadium T20I Stats and Records

• Matches played: 15
• Matches won batting first: 10
• Matches won bowling first: 5
• Average 1st innings score: 173
• Average 2nd innings score: 151
• Percentage of wickets taken by pacers: 68.75%
• Percentage of wickets taken by spinner: 31.25%
• Highest total recorded: 234/4 (20 Overs) by India vs New Zealand
• Lowest total recorded: 66/10 (12.1 Overs) by New Zealand vs India
• Highest score chased: 178/3 (17.1 Overs) by South Africa vs New Zealand
• Lowest score defended: 107/7 (20 Overs) by West Indies Women vs India Women

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Dark clouds have loomed over Kandy this week, with rains sweeping across the Hanthana mountain range, forcing covers to stay in place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. More showers are expected on Sunday, threatening to intrude on the Super 8 contest of this T20 World Cup between Sri Lanka and England.

If the weather relents, a fascinating duel of spin could define the clash.

England return to their familiar territory, after having brushed aside Sri Lanka 3-0 in a T20I series on these shores earlier this month.

That success provides them reassurance, especially after a stuttering group stage campaign, where they huffed and puffed their way to a 4-run win, suffered a 30-run loss to West Indies and quelled Scotland and Italy.

England captain Harry Brook conceded that his team were “too careful with the bat” in the group stage.

“We’ve been too careful with the bat. We can probably be a bit more brave in certain situations and have more faith in the guys behind us to be able to put up a decent score,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

Brook admitted England underestimated some of the teams in their group. “We probably underestimated a few of the teams and they put up a really good fight. Thankfully, we are in the Super 8s,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s journey has followed a similar arc of promise and pause. Comfortable victories over Ireland and Oman set the tone, and a commanding chase of 182 against Australia at this venue showcased their championship credentials.

Yet, a stumble against Zimbabwe in Colombo has stalled their momentum.

For co-hosts, much rests on their in-form opener Pathum Nissanka, who scored an unbeaten 52-ball century against Australia here. With 199 runs, he sits among the tournament’s leading scorers. Brook reckoned Nissanka’s form will be a threat and they have plans to remove him early.

Kusal Mendis, with three half-centuries in four innings, adds gravitas at the top of the order.

However, the absence of pacer Matheesha Pathirana, ruled out of the remainder of the competition, dented their bowling resources. Maheesh Theekshana’s six wickets underlines his importance.

With the ball, legspinner Adil Rashid remains vital to England’s plans, supported by Jofra Archer’s pace. Rashid nabbed six wickets, including 2/16 against West Indies, highlighting his threat on surfaces that grip.

Asked if Jacob Bethell is fit to bowl, Brook said: “Not sure yet, he’s got a decent cut in his finger. So, he’d have strapping, but if there’s some way we can get around that, then we’d bowl him. But at the minute, I don’t think it’s possible.”

In a contest shaped by spin, familiarity and sombre skies, composure may matter as much as skill.

MUMBAI: IDFC First Bank Ltd reported a Rs 590 crore discrepancy in deposits held on behalf of the Haryana Government at its Chandigarh branch, identified four employees as suspects and suspended them pending investigation. The bank’s filing comes after the state directed its departments to close accounts with private lenders on February 18. The matter was escalated to the bank’s board at a hastily convened meeting on February 21, after the lender filed a police complaint and informed regulators.It has also informed its statutory auditors and initiated the process of appointing an independent external agency to conduct a forensic audit. In addition, recall requests have been sent to certain beneficiary banks to lien-mark balances in suspicious accounts.The disclosure was made to the stock exchanges under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations and has also been uploaded on the bank’s website.Based on a preliminary internal assessment, the bank said the issue is confined to a specific group of Haryana Govt-linked accounts operated through the Chandigarh branch and does not extend to other customers at the branch. The aggregate amount under reconciliation across the identified accounts is about Rs 590 crore. The eventual impact will depend on validation of claims, recoveries, including lien-marking of balances in beneficiary accounts maintained with other banks, liabilities of other entities involved in the transactions, and the outcome of legal recovery proceedings.According to regional news reports, the Haryana Government has directed the closure of all its accounts with specific private banks, primarily IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, effective February 18, 2026. Departments, boards, corporations and universities must withdraw funds and shift to nationalised banks only, with private bank accounts requiring prior finance department approval.The move de-empanels these banks from government business amid suspected financial irregularities, including a Rs 590 crore fraud linked to IDFC’s Chandigarh branch handling Haryana accounts. It enforces compliance with fund-parking guidelines and monthly reconciliations to safeguard public money.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugrated the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat services in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi visited the Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat Station, where he flagged off the remaining portions of India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and country’s fastest metro.Aslongside, the transportation boost, PM Modi is also set to unviel development works worth almost Rs 12,930 crore to the nation.The 82 km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor includes 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the 21-km segment between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh. Designed for speeds of up to 180 kmph, the Namo Bharat system is intended to provide faster regional connectivity, linking Delhi with major urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut. The Delhi-Meerut RRTS Namo Bharat will cut travel time between the two cities to less than 1 hour, benefiting commuters.

Sarai Kale Khan, marking the start of the corridor, is one of four Namo Bharat stations. The route stretches 14 km in Delhi, with 9 km elevated and 5 km underground, and covers 68 km in Uttar Pradesh, including 61 km elevated and 7 km underground.Serving as a key multi-modal hub, it links Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT, and Ring Road, ensuring smooth connectivity. The remaining three stations, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul, and Modipuram, are being commissioned in Meerut.

He also inaugurated the Meerut metro service between Meerut South and Modipuram. The metro will run on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat system, marking a first-of-its-kind arrangement in the country. With a maximum operational speed of about 120 kmph, Meerut Metro is expected to be India’s fastest metro network. The service will cover the entire stretch in roughly 30 minutes, including all scheduled halts. Both the Delhi–Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat RRTS will operate on the same infrastructure, creating a seamless integration that enables fast and efficient high-speed intercity travel.

Running along a 21-km corridor with 12 stations, its fully air-conditioned three-coach trains feature lightweight stainless-steel designs in green, blue, and orange. Energy-efficient and equipped with regenerative braking, CCTV, USB ports, and modern train automation systems, each train carries over 700 passengers, with 173 seats, including reserved spots for women, seniors, and differently-abled commuters.After the inaugration, PM Modi also took a metro ride to the Meerut South Station. Ahead of the inauguration, UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced that PM Modi will boost the development of ‘New Uttar Pradesh’ by launching the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat train in the city. Describing it as a milestone, he said, “today, a golden chapter will be added to Uttar Pradesh’s journey of progress.”Also see | Travel at 160 kmph on Namo Bharat: Check route, stations, timing — key detailsTogether, the transportation boost is expected to enable quicker intercity movement alongside efficient urban travel. The projects are also aimed at easing road congestion and reducing vehicular carbon dioxide emissions, in line with the PM’s focus on modern, seamless and sustainable public transport systems to improve ease of living.

VASAI: A 31-year-old man was brutally murdered late on Friday night in Nalasopara West. The Nalasopara police have registered a case of murder and named five persons in the FIR, along with four to five unidentified individuals. Sources confirmed that one accused has been arrested, while teams have been formed to trace the remaining suspects. The victim has been identified as Shubham Mishra and is said to have been known to the accused. The killing, allegedly stemming from an old rivalry, was carried out in a brazen manner on a public road, triggering panic in the area. According to police, the chain of events began around 9.30 pm at a bar in the Gala Nagar area of Nalasopara East, where Mishra was with Roshan Singh and two others. An argument reportedly broke out between Mishra and Roshan Singh over a previous dispute. Roshan allegedly threatened Mishra and mentioned that Mishra had filed a case against him. They later planned to meet an acquaintance in Nalasopara West. Once they reached a junction, the accused allegedly stopped the auto on some pretext and attacked Mishra when he stepped out. Sources said Roshan had also called additional persons to the spot, suggesting that the attack was premeditated. Around 11.30 pm, when the streets had grown relatively deserted, Jagan Mehndi, Sunil Malusare, Suraj Singh and four to five associates reportedly arrived on motorcycles. Mishra was first stabbed in the thigh and hip, and after he fell, he was bludgeoned with a stone. He sustained severe injuries and heavy bleeding and died on the spot. Officers from Nalasopara police station rushed to the scene upon receiving information and sent the body for post-mortem examination. An FIR has been registered against Roshan Singh, Jagan Mehndi, Sunil Malusare, Suraj Singh, Tinkle Mishra and four to five others under relevant sections related to murder, the Maharashtra Police Act and the Arms Act. As of the time of reporting, one accused has been arrested while others remain absconding. Police teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Further investigation is underway.