India’s exports to the US also fell by 21.77% to $6.6 billion in January, largely due to the 50% tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. (AI image)

India’s merchandise exports grew marginally in January to $36.56 billion, up 0.61%. On the other hand, imports rose sharply by 19.2% to $71.24 billion, compared to $59.77 billion in the same period last year. As a result, the country’s trade deficit widened to $34.68 billion in January.Exports continued to remain on an upward trajectory in both goods and services segments. According to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, the total exports of goods and services are expected to cross $860 billion during the current financial year.For the April to January period, exports increased by 2.22% to $366.63 billion.

Trump tariffs hit India’s exports to US

India’s exports to the US also fell by 21.77% to $6.6 billion in January, largely due to the 50% tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration.The US imposed a broad 50% tariff on Indian goods entering its market from August 27. The two countries have since concluded an interim trade arrangement under which the US removed 25% penal tariffs on Indian products from February 7, while reciprocal tariffs are set to be reduced to 18% from 25%. India’s exports are now competitively placed among regional peers.Exports had also contracted in September, October and December last year, although shipments had seen a growth of 22.61% in November. Imports from the United States, meanwhile, increased by 23.71% to $4.5 billion in January, the data showed.During the April to January period of the current financial year, India’s exports to the US rose by 5.85% to $72.46 billion, while imports grew by 13.87% to $43.92 billion.Exports to China surged by 55.65% to $1.63 billion during January, while imports from China rose 16.67% to $12.23 billion. For the April-January period of the fiscal year, exports to China increased by 38.37% to $15.88 billion, whereas imports expanded by 13.82% to $108.18 billion.India’s exports to countries including the UAE, Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Hong Kong, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia and Vietnam recorded positive growth during the month under review. In contrast, shipments to the UK, Bangladesh, Singapore, Australia, France and Brazil declined.On the import side, inflows fell from countries such as Russia, Iraq, Korea, Germany, Thailand and Australia, while imports increased from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan and Indonesia. India primarily imports gold from Switzerland, and purchases from the country jumped sharply by 836.85% in January to $3.95 billion.

India’s Diversifying Exports Basket

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the latest trade figures for January 2026 reflect the significant impact of US tariffs on India’s export performance, while also indicating early signs of diversification into other markets.“Shipments to the United States followed a clear three-phase pattern between April 2025 and January 2026. After a brief uptick in May, exports fell steadily from $8.3 billion in June to $5.5 billion in September as tariff pressures intensified. A short-lived recovery followed, with exports rising to $6.3 billion in October and $7.0 billion in November, but the rebound faded when hopes of a quick trade deal did not materialise. Exports slipped again to $6.9 billion in December and $6.6 billion in January. With Washington expected to cut reciprocal tariffs on most Indian goods from 50% to 18% this week, we anticipate a swift recovery in shipments,” said GTRI in a note.The broader data suggest that the slowdown is largely concentrated in shipments to the US rather than reflecting a global decline. “Exports to the rest of the world remained resilient, edging up from $29.9 billion to $30.0 billion (+0.3%). The figures suggest that tariff barriers in the US market have driven India’s recent export slowdown, even as exporters begin cautiously expanding beyond their largest single market,” GTRI added.

On 17 February 2026, skywatchers will get a chance to see one of the most striking types of solar eclipses: an annular eclipse, better known as a ‘ring of fire’. Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely blocks the Sun, the Moon will leave a slim, glowing ring around its dark silhouette. The Moon doesn’t orbit Earth in a perfect circle. Its path is slightly oval, which means its distance from Earth constantly changes. When the Moon is closer, it can completely cover the Sun’s disc, creating a total eclipse. But tomorrow, the Moon is a bit farther away. Experts say it’s just far enough that it appears slightly smaller than the Sun in the sky. So when it slides in front of the Sun, it can’t cover it fully, as reported by the BBC.

How ‘ring of fire’ appears: Understanding annularity

Annularity is the term astronomers use to describe the moment the Moon is in front of the Sun but doesn’t fully obscure it. It comes from the Latin word annulus, which means ring. The Sun forms a thin, fiery ring around the Moon, giving the event its dramatic nickname, the ‘ring of fire’.During annularity, the Sun is not completely blocked, so the sky never goes fully dark. Experts say the light dims, shadows sharpen, and the atmosphere feels different. Some people describe it as twilight in the middle of the day. But unlike total eclipses, where temperatures drop, and stars can appear briefly, annular eclipses are subtler.The length of annularity depends on several factors:

For tomorrow, the full ring is only visible from a narrow path across Antarctica.

Why only some places see the full eclipse

Every solar eclipse has a path.

It is basically the corridor on Earth where the Moon appears perfectly sized to create the ring. Outside that path, observers will only see a partial eclipse. Experts note that the path is narrow because the Moon’s shadow is cone-shaped. Antarctica happens to be in that perfect spot tomorrow, which is why only a handful of people and research station crews will witness the full effect.

Solar Eclipse 2026: Where and when to catch February’s ‘ring of fire’

Tomorrow, the sun will briefly transform into a stunning “ring of fire” during an annular solar eclipse. This happens when the moon moves between Earth and the sun, leaving only a slim outer ring of sunlight visible. At the peak of the eclipse, the fiery ring will be visible for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds.Here’s how the eclipse will unfold, according to Time and Date:

The path of annulariy, where the moon will cover nearly all of the sun, is tiny and mostly over Antarctica, stretching roughly 2,661 miles long and 383 miles wide. Only observers within that narrow corridor will see the full “ring of fire.” People elsewhere in Antarctica, as well as parts of southern Africa and the southern tip of South America, will witness a partial eclipse, with much of the sun still visible.Quick tip: Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar eclipse glasses, even during annularity or partial phases. Ordinary sunglasses are not enough.

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar launched a fierce attack on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi after Pakistan’s heavy 61-run loss to India in the T20 World Cup. Akhtar said Pakistan’s current situation is the result of poor leadership and bad decisions over many years.

Speaking to ABP News after the match, he criticised the PCB leadership, saying, “One guy who does not know anything has become the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman. What can you do? How will the team run?” He also slammed the team’s reliance on underperforming superstar players, saying, “You have made a superstar out of a player who cannot win you a game.” Akhtar added that poor appointments are a major problem, calling it “The biggest crime in the world is to give a particular job to incompetent people.” He even described Naqvi as “incompetent and ‘jaahil'” and said he was not fit to lead the board.Akhtar also criticised Pakistan’s performance, saying the team was far behind India and lacked modern-day cricket standards. He said Pakistan have failed to invest in talent for years and can no longer compete with India at the highest level.In the match, India scored 175/7 thanks to Ishan Kishan’s 77 and useful contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube. Pakistan’s chase collapsed early, falling to 13/3 in just two overs. Babar Azam was dismissed cheaply, and despite Usman Khan’s 44, the team kept losing wickets regularly.India’s bowlers dominated, with Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy sharing wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.

The high-octane rivalry between India and Pakistan reached a fever pitch this Sunday as the Men in Blue secured a resounding 61-run victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. While the action on the field was clinical, the post-match celebrations on social media have stolen the spotlight. Former Indian all-rounder and 2007 T20 World Cup hero, Irfan Pathan, has once again become the centre of a viral storm, playfully teasing Pakistani fans with a celebratory dance that has set the internet ablaze.

Irfan Pathan’s viral dance video adds spice after India’s emphatic T20 World Cup 2026 triumph over Pakistan

As the final Pakistani wicket fell in Colombo, Pathan took to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to share his joy in his trademark cheeky style. The veteran cricketer posted a video of himself grooving to the popular Bollywood track ‘Afghan Jalebi’, a song that has become his go-to anthem for celebrating victories against the arch-rivals.

Captioning the video with a provocative “Kaisa raha Sunday?” (How was your Sunday?), Pathan didn’t stop there. He followed up with another post on X, directly addressing the “padosiyo” (neighbors) by asking, “Padosiyo… Sunday kaisa raha?” This playful jab refers to the long-standing trend of India dominating Pakistan in World Cup matches scheduled on Sundays.

The video quickly garnered millions of views, drawing massive engagement from jubilant Indian supporters while sparking a flurry of reactions from disappointed fans across the border. Pathan’s “Sunday” taunts have become a recurring tradition, often rubbing salt into the wounds of the opposition after high-stakes encounters. His choice of ‘Afghan Jalebi’, a nod to his previous celebrations during the Asia Cup, serves as a reminder of India’s consistent supremacy in the shortest format of the game.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Boycott talk resurfaces as former spinner takes a brutal dig at Pakistan after crushing loss to India

Dominant India qualifies for Super 8 stage in T20 World Cup 2026

Beyond the social media banter, the victory marked a significant milestone for the Indian team led by Suryakumar Yadav. With this 61-run triumph, India have officially qualified for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, maintaining an unbeaten streak in Group A with six points from three matches.

The foundation of the win was laid by a blistering performance from Ishan Kishan, who decimated the Pakistani bowling attack with a 40-ball 77. Despite a spin-heavy strategy from Pakistan—which saw them bowl a record-equalling 18 overs of spin—India managed to post a competitive total of 175/7.

The second half of the game belonged entirely to the Indian bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya dismantled the top order early, leaving Pakistan reeling. The Men in Green were eventually bundled out for a mere 114 runs in 18 overs. This victory extends India’s formidable head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups to 8-1, further cementing their status as tournament favourites. While India prepare for the next round, Pakistan now faces a must-win scenario against Namibia to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Also READ: Azmatullah Omarzai’s all round heroics inspires Afghanistan to a thrilling victory against UAE in T20 World Cup 2026

The holy month of Ramadan is almost here, bringing that familiar mix of excitement, reflection, and community spirit to Muslims worldwide! As the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan 2026 kicks off around February 18-19 in India—confirmed by the crescent moon sighting on February 17. India typically starts a day after Saudi Arabia, where the moon often appears first. This sacred time, one of Islam’s five pillars– alongside Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj– calls for fasting from dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar)—no food, drink, or water in between. It’s about spiritual reset: extra prayers in mosques, Quran reading, charity (zakat), and self-discipline. However, exemptions exist for the ill, pregnant, elderly, or travellers (make up days later). The month culminates in Eid ul-Fitr on March 19-20 (Shawwal 1), a joyous “Festival of Breaking the Fast” with prayers, feasts, and when no fasting is allowed.To help you wish your loved ones on Ramadan, here we list some Ramzan wishes, messages, quotes and greetings to share with them:

1. “May Allah shower your days with mercy and nights with endless blessings.”2. “Wishing you strength for suhoor and sweetness at iftar. Ramadan Kareem to you and yours!”3. “May this Ramadan purify your heart and bring you closer to Allah. Mubarak ho!”4. “Fasting with faith, praying with hope—pure barakah this holy month!”5. Ramadan Mubarak!6. Sending love and light to you this Ramazan!7. “May every fast be accepted and every prayer answered. Ramadan Mubarak!”8. Sending warm Ramazan wishes, from our family to yours!9. “Ramzan ki mubarakbaad!”10. “Suhoor fuels the soul, iftar feeds the heart. Blessed Ramadan!”11. “Ramadan: The perfect time to reset, reflect, and recharge.”12. “May Allah make this Ramadan your most spiritual yet. Mubarak!”13. “Sharing iftar vibes and endless duas with you. Ramadan Kareem!”14. “In this holy month, may peace fill every corner of your life.”15. “Ramadan Mubarak! Grateful for friends like you during this blessed time.”16. “May the light of Ramadan guide you through the year ahead.”

Oman sets Ramadan’s first fasting day on February 19, 2026, using scientific moon data / Image: AI

Inspirational Quotes & Messages

1.”Ramadan is the month Allah multiplies rewards—seize every moment!” – Quran-inspired2. “Fasting builds patience; patience unlocks paradise.”3. “Every tear in taraweeh, every dua in sujood—Allah hears it all.”4.. “Zakat cleanses wealth; fasting cleanses the nafs (soul).”5. “30 days of discipline = a lifetime of barakah.”6. “In hunger, remember the needy. That’s Ramadan’s true lesson.”7. “Taraweeh nights: When heaven feels just one prayer away.”8. “Eid joy begins with Ramadan tawbah (repentance).”9. “Small deeds in this month weigh heavy on the Day of Judgment.”10. “Ramadan fixes what the world breaks—habits, hearts, faith.”11. “The Quran was revealed in Ramadan—let it transform you too.”12. “Fasting isn’t just physical; it’s a shield for the soul.”13. “May your iftar table overflow with rizq (provision).”14. “Ramadan: Where struggles turn into spiritual strength.”15. “One month of focus changes a year of habits.”

Funny & Relatable Greetings

1. “Ramadan Mubarak! No food selfies till Eid—patience practice! “2. “Suhoor motto: Eat like iftar starts in 5 minutes!”3. “Fasting pro tip: Dream of biryani all day. Works every time!”4. “Ramadan vibes: Stomach growling, heart full. Mubarak!”5. “When Maghrib calls: Race to the kitchen like it’s Olympics!”6. “Suhoor alarm: Friend, foe, or both? Ramadan Kareem!”7. “Ramadan diet: Water at iftar, dates forever. “8. “Fasting day 1: I got this. Day 10: Send biryani prayers!”9. “Ramadan Mubarak! May your patience outlast your hunger pangs.”10. “Iftar rule: Pray first, eat seconds later. Mostly.”

Ramadan is a monthlong period of introspection, communal prayer and reading the Quran.

Eid ul-Fitr Specials & Family Wishes

1. “Eid Mubarak ahead! Breaking the fast never felt so sweet.”2. “Ramadan ends, but taqwa (God-consciousness) stays. Mubarak!”3. “To family: Thank you for suhoor love and iftar feasts.”4. “Eid ul-Fitr: From dawn fasts to endless feasts—blessings!”5. “Shawwal 1 awaits! Ramadan, you were life-changing.”6. “Ramadan Mubarak to the iftar squad—couldn’t do it without you!”7. “May Eid bring as much joy as Ramadan brought peace.”8. “Family duas > worldly worries. Ramadan taught me that.”9. “Eid prep: Clean heart, full stomach, happy home.”10. “Ramadan 2026: Grateful for every fast, every prayer. Mubarak to all!”

Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav (Image credit: PTI)

NEW DELHI: India’s march in the T20 World Cup 2026 gathered further momentum in Colombo as they outclassed Pakistan by 61 runs, reinforcing their dominance in the tournament’s most intense rivalry. It was India’s eighth win in nine T20 World Cup meetings against their neighbours, and the comprehensive result ensured qualification for the Super Eight stage with room to spare.Yet, while the scoreline reflected control and authority, the talking point after the final ball had little to do with numbers.

Moments after Pakistan were bowled out at the R. Premadasa Stadium, television cameras captured an animated exchange involving Hardik Pandya, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav. As players lined up for the customary handshakes, Hardik appeared visibly charged up, gesturing toward Kuldeep in what seemed like a heated discussion. Tilak Varma watched on with concern before Rinku Singh stepped in, seemingly attempting to cool tempers.Speculation quickly swirled on social media, with fans debating whether frustration had spilled over despite the comfortable win.Suryakumar, however, moved swiftly to diffuse the narrative. The India skipper shared a light-hearted video on social media in which he is seen walking up to Kuldeep and hugging him warmly. He captioned it: “Gussa chodh do bhai”. The post instantly went viral.India had earlier set the tone through Ishan Kishan’s explosive 77 off 40 balls, an innings studded with boundaries that lifted the total to 176. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar ensured stability through the middle overs.The bowlers then dismantled Pakistan with clinical precision. Hardik struck in the opening over, while Jasprit Bumrah’s incisive spell derailed the chase. Axar Patel and Kuldeep tightened the screws as Pakistan’s middle and lower order folded under pressure.

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NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s heavy 61-run loss to India has put their T20 World Cup campaign in danger, and they could be knocked out depending on the upcoming results in Group A. India have already qualified for the Super Eights with three wins from three matches, while Pakistan sit third with two wins and one loss.

The USA’s win over Namibia has further tightened the race, making the final group matches crucial for Pakistan’s survival in the tournament. At this moment, USA and Pakistan have the same number of points (4). However, thanks to having a better net run rate, USA, who have already finished all their group-stage matches, find themselves in the second position on the points table. Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson admitted the defeat was hard on the players, saying, “There’s a pretty disappointed dressing room in there at the moment, because they know how much it means to Pakistan.” He added that despite recent winning form, India were simply better on the day. “We know that it’s a huge event, Pakistan against India. We obviously won five games on the bounce before today so we were confident, but today we got outplayed,” he added.India posted 175-7 thanks to Ishan Kishan’s 77, with support from Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube. Pakistan collapsed early to 13-3 and were bowled out for 114, with Usman Khan top-scoring with 44. Hesson defended the decision to bowl first, saying, “I think the ball was spinning quite a lot initially and we started off well but I think the way Kishan played, he took the game away from us.”Now Pakistan must beat Namibia on Wednesday in their final group match to stay alive. If they lose, they will be eliminated. If the match is washed out by rain, both teams will share points, and Pakistan will qualify for the Super 8s.Hesson urged the team to recover quickly, saying, “We have to pick ourselves up and make sure that we’re very good in two or three days.” He added confidence remains, stating, “We have played some good cricket in the lead-up to this World Cup, so we’re confident to do well in the tournament.”