US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States will work to strengthen the United Nations, asserting that the global body needs financial support and that the “Board of Peace is going to look” over it to ensure it runs properly.Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace, Trump said the US would ensure the UN becomes stronger and more viable.“Someday, I won’t be here. The United Nations will be… is going to be much stronger. The Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly,” Trump said.“But we’re going to strengthen up the United Nations. We’re going to make sure its facilities are good. They need help, and they need help money-wise. We’re going to help them money wise, and we’re going to make sure the United Nations is viable,” he added.Trump also said Washington is closely coordinating with the world body. “And we are very closely working with the United Nations. In fact, I’m going to speak to the Secretary General in a little while. He’s a good man, and I’ve had a good relationship,” he said.The Board of Peace was initiated as part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. The initiative is widely seen as a parallel platform to the UN, and Trump has previously suggested it “might” replace the global organisation, saying the UN has never lived up to its potential.At the meeting, attended by leaders of nations that have joined the Board of Peace, Trump said the US would continue to work with the UN. “We’re going to bring them back. I think the United Nations has great potential, really great potential. It has not lived up to potential,” he said.He also noted that during his second term he had “settled” eight wars without consulting the UN. “I never spoke to the UN about even one of them when in fact I should have spoken about all of them with the global body,” he said.The United States remains the largest financial contributor to the United Nations, providing about 22 per cent of its regular budget and around 25 per cent of its peacekeeping budget. However, Washington reportedly owes approximately USD 4 billion in unpaid assessed contributions.Trump has previously been critical of the UN and withdrew the US from several UN agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Despite this, he said the organisation has potential and capable personnel.“I’ve said it for years, United Nations has tremendous potential,” Trump said, adding that although some people dismiss the UN, “No, it’s really very important, and I think it’s going to eventually live up to potential. That will be a big day.”Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said earlier that he was not aware of any UN presence at the Board of Peace meeting in Washington. However, he said the UN continues to work toward implementing relevant Security Council resolutions related to Gaza and remains engaged with stakeholders influencing the humanitarian situation on the ground.

In a big affirmation of India’s electronics manufacturing and AI ambitions, American semiconductor giant Qualcomm is all set to sign a deal to contract-manufacture and source automotive module products from India that will be exported across the world, apart from being sold in the domestic market, Global CEO and President Cristiano Amon said. Qualcomm will perhaps be the first top-tier global chipmaker to export automotive module products from India, nearly four years after the govt had announced a $10 billion semiconductor incentive package to attract chip companies to make in India.

The move by Qualcomm comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked global tech giants, gathered in India for the AI Impact Summit, to use India as a base for design and development of cutting-edge tech as well as AI. “Design and Develop in India. Deliver to the World. Deliver to Humanity,” Modi said earlier in the day as he addressed global CEOs and heads of state, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the UN Secretary General. In an interview to the Times Group, Amon said that with a rich legacy and a strong manpower, Qualcomm remains bullish on India as the company looks to grow its engagement in terms of module manufacturing as well as enhanced work on engineering and R&D for chips and AI. “We already have one of Qualcomm’s largest R&D hubs outside the US in India… Tomorrow, we will be making announcements about manufacturing some of the modules we provide to global companies in India, with new electronics manufacturing partners. We’re also expanding our engagement in advanced packaging, assembly, and testing as part of India’s growing semiconductor supply chain,” he said. Giving details about the expansion plans, he said that Qualcomm will be starting with the design of some of its component chips, especially in power management. “We will leverage investments in India for semiconductor manufacturing as capacity becomes available, and we will begin engagement for fabrication. Once that is done, these products will be part of the Qualcomm product line-up sold to customers worldwide.” He said the company will also manufacture “certain integrated modules”, especially for markets like automotive where higher levels of integration is required. “These modules will be manufactured in India and sold not only to the automotive industry in India but also globally.” Amon appreciated the efforts of the Indian govt to drive in AI infrastructure and research work through the AI Impact Summit. “It’s incredibly positive. I’m incredibly excited about it. I’ve always been a big believer that when we think about the next chapter of AI — especially as AI goes everywhere — our mission as a company is not only to enable AI in the data center, but also to see it evolve into the network and into all the different devices we use today – smartphones, PCs, cars, and the new AI-powered devices that connect to intelligent agents. I see that India has many of the elements required to make this successful. Not only does India have the ability to innovate domestically, but it also has the capability to provide technology to the rest of the world.” He said that Qualcomm agrees with the call of PM Modi in this regard. “I’m excited about the activity I see across the entire AI supply chain — from foundational models in India to applications, to leveraging the vibrant electronics manufacturing ecosystem, and now the beginnings of a semiconductor supply chain. As someone who has been engaged with India since the beginning of cellular, we’re incredibly excited and privileged to be part of this journey.” Qualcomm had recently announced its first 2-nanometer chip designed 100% by its India team. “That reflects the strength of the design ecosystem here.” He said the manufacturing engagement is part of Qualcomm’s global supply chain. Aked whether India can become a hub for some of these activities, he said, “That is the vision, and that’s where investments are being made. It’s starting right now, but these things take time.” Amon said that Qualcomm is encouraged by Modi’s approach. “This is not about one single initiative — it’s a multi-year journey. India is becoming part of the global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem. It is a journey and it has taken multiple years. We’re happy to be partners from the beginning. That has been the history of our partnership with India.” Asked about the strengths that Qualcomm gets from the Indian market, he said it’s a combination of factors. “We’ve always believed in India’s talent — particularly in science, computer science, and electronics. We have a significant presence across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and other cities. India is our second-largest R&D hub globally. We’re proud of that… Our teams here do the same level of R&D as our teams in the United States.” He said that the company is now combining talent with supportive policies provided by the govt such as infrastructure development, electronics manufacturing, and the beginnings of a semiconductor supply chain. “That expansion is significant because it means India will have both design and manufacturing capabilities.” Emergence of a strong ecosystem in India will also lead to diversification of its supply chain. “The world needs diversified semiconductor manufacturing capacity. The efforts US is taking to build manufacturing are important. What India is doing is also very important. When you put this at scale, this will create a more vibrant industry globally and in the case for AI for everyone this will enable acceleration and diffusion of technology across industries.” Amon said that in automotive and industrial supply chain, diversity becomes critical. “In many cases, supply also needs to be closer to manufacturing locations. As India builds out its supply chain capabilities, that creates significant opportunities. That’s why we have always believed in India and have been one of the early partners in this journey. But it’s not only about the supply chain.” At the AI Impact Summit, the company announced a Qualcomm Venture Fund, committing $150 million to invest in Indian startups. “There’s no better way to demonstrate how strongly we believe in innovation coming out of India — particularly in enabling AI across companies… our investment in India spans decades. We were investing here long before it became a widely recognized trend.”

HYDERABAD: A three-month pregnant woman was hacked to death inside her house in Vanasthalipuram on Wednesday, allegedly by her ex-husband who was unhappy with her remarriage.The two software professionals, who had lived briefly in Canada, divorced in 2024.The woman had earlier filed a domestic violence complaint against the accused, following which a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.Also read: Divorce, passport seizure, remarriage: Canada-returned techie held grudge against pregnant ex-wife, gored her to deathVanasthalipuram police said Devarakonda Mahesh barged into the fourth-floor apartment of Sunitha (29) at Green City Colony around noon on Wednesday, went straight to the room where she was and locked it from inside. He was carrying a bag with two knives, a bottle of petrol and a chainsaw.“Mahesh got into a heated argument with her and, within minutes, attacked Sunitha with the knives. He stabbed her multiple times on various parts of her body, including her head,” said T Mahesh, inspector, Vanasthalipuram.

Police: Man held grudge against wife for remarrying

On hearing the victim’s screams, other family members rushed to her room and found Sunitha lying on the floor in a pool of blood. By then, the accused had locked himself in the washroom,” the inspector added. At the time of the attack, Sunitha’s mother-in-law was on the terrace drying clothes, while her brother-in-law was working in another room. Sunitha was working from home. The woman’s family members told police she and Mahesh got married in 2022 and moved to Canada. From the beginning, their relationship was strained. Eventually, in 2024, Sunitha filed for divorce and returned to India. In early 2025, she married another man and began living in Vanasthalipuram. “Last year, Mahesh returned to India after his mother passed away,” said B Anuradha, DCP, L B Nagar. She said he was intercepted by police at the airport as a LOC had been issued in his name in connection with a pending domestic violence case filed by Sunitha. His passport was seized. “Since he could not return to Canada because of the LOC, he was disappointed. He also held a grudge against Sunitha for remarrying and wanted to seek revenge,” the DCP added. Police said they had to break open the bathroom door to apprehend the accused. A case of murder has been filed against Mahesh.

In the midst of a high-octane T20 World Cup campaign, Indian cricket star Hardik Pandya has captured hearts off the field with a series of romantic birthday posts for girlfriend Mahieka Sharma that have sent social media into a frenzy. The 32-year-old all-rounder pulled out all the stops to celebrate Mahieka’s 25th birthday on Thursday (February 19), sharing intimate glimpses of their relationship that quickly went viral among fans and followers.

Hardik Pandya’s viral birthday post: A romantic infinity pool embrace

Pandya kicked off the birthday celebrations by sharing a breathtaking photo on his Instagram story, featuring the couple locked in a warm embrace while standing in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The cricketer kept his message simple yet deeply affectionate: “Happy birthday my princess,” followed by a string of heart and emoji symbols.

The romantic image captured the couple’s undeniable chemistry, with Hardik holding Mahieka close against a stunning backdrop of endless blue waters. Sri Lankan flags visible in the background hinted that the photo may have been taken during the Indian team’s recent stay in Colombo ahead of their blockbuster clash against Pakistan .

Mahieka, touched by the gesture, reshared the post on her own Instagram stories, adding a diamond emoji and an evil eye symbol, before posting another glimpse of her celebration dressed in black and posing in front of a heart-shaped birthday cake .

A video message from Hardik that melted hearts

Going beyond a single photograph, Pandya also treated his followers to a romantic video compilation featuring special moments with Mahieka. Set to the melodious backdrop of the classic love song “Saathiya,” the clip showed the couple enjoying quality time together in what appeared to be a lavish vacation setting .

Accompanying the video, Pandya penned an emotional note that left fans swooning. “Happy birthday my princess. Thank you for coming in this world 25 years ago. You are the most amazing person I know. I love you.,” he wrote.

Also READ: Hardik Pandya reacts to Mahieka Sharma’s heartfelt post ahead of Valentine’s Day

Who is Mahieka Sharma? The woman behind the headlines

Mahieka Sharma, who turned 25 on Thursday, is far more than just a cricketer’s girlfriend. She is a full-time model and actor who has made significant strides in the fashion and entertainment industries .

The Gujarat-born model has featured in several music videos, independent films, and high-profile ad campaigns for prestigious brands including Tanishq, Vivo, and Uniqlo. Her ramp presence is equally impressive, having walked for top designers such as Manish Malhotra, Tarun Tahiliani and Anita Dongre .

In 2024, Mahieka’s rising star was officially recognized when she received the ‘Model of the Year (New Age)’ award at the Indian Fashion Awards.

Beyond her glamorous profession, Mahieka brings academic depth to her profile. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University in Gujarat before spending a year studying community psychology at the University of Maryland in the United States.

Mahieka and Hardik’s love story began generating public interest when they were spotted together at Mumbai airport in October 2025. The cricketer made their relationship Instagram official that same month, sharing a series of holiday pictures and describing her as his “11:11 wish.”

Since then, the couple has grown increasingly open about their bond. Following India’s T20I victory against South Africa last year, Pandya publicly credited Mahieka for her emotional support during his comeback phase. “A lot of credit goes to the loved ones who I had. Special mention to my partner as well. She’s been nothing but best to me since she has entered my life, and a lot of great things have happened since she has arrived,” he told the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The couple has also been seen spending time with Pandya’s son Agastya, whom he shares with former wife Natasa Stankovic, signaling a blended family dynamic that has won appreciation from fans.

Also READ: 10 hot pics of Hardik Pandya’s new girlfriend Mahieka Sharma

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Thursday asked 22 states and Union Territories including Delhi to complete preparatory work related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) at the earliest as the exercise is “expected to start from April”.Once the exercise is completed, all states and UTs will be covered.In a letter to the chief electoral officers of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand, the poll authority said pan-India SIR of voters’ list was ordered in June last year.Battling “vote chori” allegations levelled by the opposition Congress, the Election Commission held the SIR of electoral rolls in 13 states and UTs and a ‘special revision’ in Assam this year. It is all set to hold a similar exercise in the remaining 22 states and UTs this year.While the exercise, which kept the EC in the news, was completed in Bihar, it is ongoing in 12 states and UTs with nearly 60 crore electors.The remaining 40 crore electors will be covered in these 17 states and five UTs.In Assam, a ‘special revision’, instead of SIR, was completed on February 10.Due to a variety of reasons, SIR in the nine states and three UTs have seen frequent tweaking in schedules.Like Bihar, political parties have approached the Supreme Court challenging SIR in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.Recently, TMC president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally pleaded before a bench of the chief justice of India against the poll roll cleanup exercise in her state.As the EC was preparing for SIR in Bihar, its officials had claimed that several nationals from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar were found by its grassroots level functionaries.But eventually, the poll authority did not share any numbers or proof of such people who were not eligible to be on the voters’ list.Opposition parties had dubbed the EC’s claims as a ploy to carry out SIR to target electors not aligned to BJP and its allies.

Rising geopolitical tensions and renewed safe-haven buying pushed precious metals sharply higher on Thursday, sending silver soaring in the domestic market while gold extended its upward momentum.Silver prices in the national capital surged by Rs 18,000, or 7.32 per cent, to Rs 2,64,000 per kg (inclusive of all taxes), according to local marketmen, PTI reported. The white metal had closed at Rs 2,46,000 per kg on Wednesday.Gold of 99.9 per cent purity also advanced, gaining Rs 1,950, or 1.24 per cent, to Rs 1,58,650 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), compared with Rs 1,56,700 per 10 grams in the previous session.

Firm global trends supported the rally. In overseas markets, spot silver traded 1.03 per cent higher at $77.97 per ounce, while gold hovered marginally higher at $4,991.24 per ounce.“Gold prices rose to around $5,000 per ounce on Thursday, supported by a renewed wave of safe-haven demand amid rising speculation over potential US military action against Iran, which has elevated geopolitical risk,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.He added that stalled Russia-Ukraine negotiations have added to global uncertainty, encouraging investors to shift allocations toward defensive assets. “With geopolitical flashpoints intensifying, capital is rotating out of risk-sensitive assets and into traditional safe-haven assets, providing sustained support to gold prices,” Gandhi said.Renisha Chainani, Head – Research at Augmont, said investors are now watching key macroeconomic triggers, including US GDP data and Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation numbers, which may shape the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook in the coming months.

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Afghanistan vs Canada Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: With Super 8 qualification no longer possible for both teams, the focus shifts to performance, evaluation, and finishing with a result that reflects the effort shown across the tournament.

T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points table

Afghanistan arrive after a campaign defined by narrow margins and missed chances. Their most dramatic moment came in a double Super Over contest against South Africa, but that effort was not enough to keep them in contention. Attention now turns to how their batting order functions as a unit and whether the bowling group can produce sustained pressure rather than isolated spells. The match also comes at a time when questions about experience and transition are part of the wider conversation around squad balance.

Canada enter with momentum from individual achievements that brought attention to their campaign. A record-setting century by a teenage opener and strong partnerships at the top have shown the side’s batting potential. However, inconsistency with the ball has limited their ability to control matches. Their final outing offers another opportunity to deliver a more complete performance across both innings.

Beyond the result, this game provides a platform to assess combinations, test tactical approaches, and measure progress made during the tournament. For players, it is also a chance to influence future selection decisions. For supporters, it is a final opportunity to watch two teams that have produced notable moments despite early exits.

Veteran filmmaker M. M. Baig, known for his work in Hindi cinema and as the father of former child actor Baby Guddu, was found dead at his residence earlier this week. He was in his 70s. The news was confirmed by his publicist, Hanif Zaveri.According to Zaveri, Baig had been unwell for some time and was staying alone. Neighbours reportedly informed the police after noticing a foul smell coming from his house when he had not stepped out for four to five days.Speaking to PTI, Zaveri said, “He was unwell for quite some time. Since he hadn’t come out of the house for four to five days, the neighbours complained to the cops about a foul smell coming from his house. The police opened the door and found Baig sahab’s dead body and informed his daughter about it. They later took his body to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem at around 1:30–2:00 am. He was a loving man. I pray for his departed soul.”

A career rooted in mainstream Hindi cinema

Baig began his career as an assistant director and worked with prominent filmmakers such as J. Om Prakash, Vimal Kumar and Rakesh Roshan. Over the years, he was associated with films including Aadmi Khilona Hai, Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii, Karz Chukana Hai, Kala Bazaar and Kishen Kanhaiya.He later directed Massom Gawah starring Naseeruddin Shah, though the film did not see a release. He also helmed Chhoti Bahu featuring Shilpa Shirodkar.

Mentored Hrithik Roshan before his debut

Zaveri also shared that Baig had a close professional association with Rakesh Roshan and had helped Hrithik Roshan with diction, voice modulation and dialogue delivery before his debut in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai.“Baig sahab shared a warm equation with Rakesh Roshan sahab. He helped Hrithik Roshan with diction, voice modulation and dialogues. This was much before his debut film happened,” he said.

Remembered as father of 80s child star

Baig’s daughter, Baby Guddu — born Shahinda Baig — was one of the most recognisable child actors of the 1980s, appearing in films such as Aakhir Kyon?, Nagina, Pyar Kiya Hai Pyar Karenge and Aulad.