PM Modi and US President Donald Trump (File photo)

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday once again targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recently finalised interim trade agreement, earlier this month, between India and the United States, which took nearly a year to reach mutual consensus. The largest opposition party’s attack on PM Modi came after the US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s tariffs, a key weapon of the trade policy pursued under the MAGA supremo.In a post on X, the party outlined what it called the story of a “trade deal and compromised PM,” listing key developments after the top court’s decision. Referring to the Friday’s ruling, the Congress said that the US Supreme Court had struck down Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, after which he invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a fresh 10 per cent global tariff on imports.The grand old party claimed that the ruling would mean India now faces a 10 per cent tariff rate, while also pointing to the interim trade deal announced earlier this month that fixed tariffs on Indian goods at 18 per cent. It further alleged that “India committed to reducing tariffs on various US goods to 0% and buying goods worth $500 billion over 5 years from the US”Congress also raised a series of pointed questions about the trade pact signed between New Delhi and Washington.“What was the rush to plead for a trade deal, bending backwards and agreeing to an anti-India deal?” the party asked.“The trade deal had been pending for months, why did Modi push for it suddenly and agreed on a 30 min phone call?” it said, questioning the timing of the agreement.The Congress further asked, “Why did we agree to huge imports from US, and reducing tariff on its products to zero?” It also questioned the impact on the agricultural sector, asking, “Why did we agree to sacrifice the interests of our farmers?”Raising concerns over data and energy security, the party said, “Why did we agree to giving all our data on a platter to the US?” and “Why did we compromise our energy security by agreeing not to buy Russian oil?”It also took aim at the tariff structure under the deal, asking, “How foolish were we to celebrate a 6X increase in our tariff from under 3% to 18%?”“The answer to all these and other questions is a COMPROMISED Prime Minister,” the Congress alleged. Meanwhile, the PM Modi-led government said it is closely examining the implications of the US Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs.In its first official response, the ministry of commerce and industry said, “We have noted the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs yesterday. President Trump has also addressed a press conference in that regard. Some steps have been announced by the US administration.”“We are studying all these developments for their implications,” the ministry added.Meanwhile, the PM Modi-led government said it is monitoring the situation and assessing the implications of the US Supreme Court’s ruling.In its first official response, the ministry of commerce and industry said, “We have noted the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs yesterday. US President Trump has also addressed a press conference in that regard. Some steps have been announced by the US administration.”“We are studying all these developments for their implications,” the ministry added.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: A special POCSO court in Prayagraj on Saturday directed the police to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri in connection with allegations of sexual exploitation.ADJ (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia ordered the FIR registration and a detailed investigation into the matter. The case will be registered at Jhunsi police station following the court’s directions. The application under Section 173(4) was filed by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, seeking strict action, news agency ANI reported. The move comes amid a backdrop of controversy surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. Last month, the seer claimed he was prevented from taking a ritual dip at the Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, leading him to stage an 11-day sit-in protest. Speaking to reporters in Varanasi, he said, “When I sat there for 11 days, no official asked me to take a dip. Now it is too late. I will go to the Magh Mela next year and take a respectful bath.”The seer had also urged Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to stop beef exports from the state and declare the cow as ‘Rajya Mata’, calling it a measure of the government’s commitment as a “Hindu sympathiser.”The controversy traces back to January 18, when Swami Avimukteshwaranand, travelling in a palanquin to the Sangam for Mauni Amavasya, was asked by officials to dismount and proceed on foot due to heavy crowds. The Mela administration alleged that his supporters broke a barricade on a pontoon bridge, causing crowd management issues.Following the incident, the seer protested outside the Shankaracharya camp, demanding an apology and a dignified escort for the ritual bath. The administration also issued a notice questioning his use of the title of Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, citing a civil appeal pending before the Supreme Court.The row triggered political and administrative reactions. Prashant Kumar Singh, deputy commissioner in the Uttar Pradesh GST department, resigned citing moral reasons and Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri also stepped down, highlighting concerns over the alleged insult to the seer. The Congress party announced a campaign against the perceived insult, demanding that the state governor take suo motu cognisance.

Team India trains ahead of South Africa matche (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Team India will begin their Super 8 campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with a blockbuster clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Ahead of the match, bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted that Indian batters have struggled against spin but expressed confidence that improvement is coming soon.

Morkel pointed out that the pitches in the tournament have been challenging for batters, especially against slower bowlers. He said, “To be honest, I think on the surfaces we have played so far, it was not the easiest wickets to hit the ball. We tried that in Mumbai, and found ourselves in trouble. So I think the important thing is that we know we can always… If we have some sort of platform, we can catch up at the back end.”India will also face Zimbabwe on February 26 and West Indies on March 1 in the Super 8 stage.

The weather in Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and clear for the India vs South Africa Super 8 clash, with temperatures around 36°C and hazy sunshine throughout the day. There is no chance of rain or thunderstorms, so fans can expect an uninterrupted 40-over match. Winds will blow from the west-northwest at around 7 km/h, with gusts up to 26 km/h, while the UV index will be high, meaning players will need to manage the heat carefully.

India vs South Africa: Squads

India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Mohammed SirajSouth Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan RickeltonALSO READ: When, where and how to watch IND vs SA live on TV and online

Man’s best friend is known for loyalty, instinct and an uncanny ability to mirror its owner’s personality. With the right training, dogs can become indispensable partners in service — from K-9 units and guide dogs to medical alert companions or, in this case, illegal garbage dumping.In Italy’s Sicily, footage released by the Catania municipality shows a dog trotting down a street in the San Giorgio neighbourhood, a bulging trash bag clamped carefully between its teeth. The animal pauses, lowers the bag gently onto the roadside, and walks away — as if completing a routine errand.According to a report by CNN, authorities believe the dog had been trained by its owner to dispose of rubbish this way in order to avoid paying regular garbage collection fees.The municipality shared the surveillance clip on Facebook with a pointed caption: “Inventiveness… can never be an alibi for incivility.” The message set the tone for what officials described as a calculated attempt to sidestep civic responsibility.In a longer statement accompanying the video, authorities detailed “videos recorded by surveillance cameras in Via Pulacara, in the San Giorgio neighbourhood, in which a dog can be seen dumping a bag of rubbish on the road. A scene that leaves little room for doubt: the animal allegedly was trained to prevent the owner from being caught throwing away the trash irregularly.”Describing the act as “a behaviour that is as clever as twice correct,” the post went on to underline the ethical concerns. Beyond littering the city’s streets, authorities argued, the act sought to “escape the rules by taking advantage of the unconscious four-legged friend.”In other words, the dog may have followed commands faithfully — but accountability lies firmly with its human.The report later confirmed that the man responsible was identified and fined, reiterating that enforcement measures would follow regardless of who — or what — is seen on camera.The incident unfolds against a larger backdrop of waste-related crime in Italy. According to environmental group Legambiente, nearly 10,000 offences linked to illegal dumping, burning and burying of waste are recorded each year. The scale of the problem has prompted many municipalities to install surveillance “camera traps” to monitor trouble spots.Penalties are steep. Fines for illegal dumping range from €1,500 ($1,770) to €18,000 ($21,200), and in some cases may carry criminal charges. Authorities also note that such activities are often connected to organised crime networks, known to law enforcement as the “eco-mafia.”For many, the Sicilian dog’s unlikely role has added an element of dark humour to an otherwise serious issue. But behind the viral clip lies a sobering reminder: even the most inventive schemes cannot outrun civic duty — and a dog’s loyalty should never be exploited to clean up its owner’s mess.

Perplexity may have joined Anthropic in ‘trolling’ Sam Altman’s OpenAI after the ChatGPT maker announced plans to test advertisements in the chatbot. Perplexity has reportedly confirmed that it will not introduce ads into chatbot responses. This way, the AI startup is distancing itself from OpenAI’s emerging ad-based monetisation strategy and aligning itself more closely with Anthropic’s approach to AI products. Speaking at a recent roundtable with reporters, Perplexity executives said that the AI search startup plans to rely on subscription and enterprise revenue rather than advertising, a move that appears to align with Anthropic’s recent criticism of ads in conversational AI tools.Earlier this month, Anthropic added fuel to a growing debate within the AI industry by publicly mocking OpenAI’s shift toward ads in ChatGPT through a series of Super Bowl commercials. In these ads, the company highlighted how advertising could change chatbot interactions. In one of the 30-second spots, Anthropic shows a routine fitness question being interrupted mid-response by an unsolicited promotion for shoe insoles. In another, when a user asks a chatbot how to communicate better with their mother, an ad for a mature dating service appears that connects“sensitive cubs with roaring cougars.”While OpenAI has begun testing ads for US users of its free and $8-a-month ChatGPT Go tier, Perplexity is simultaneously expanding its enterprise sales push, targeting organisations and professional users instead of ad-supported growth.

What Perplexity is focusing on instead of ads

According to a Business Insider report, Perplexity is expanding its sales strategy and is now focusing on large organisations and professional users, such as finance professionals, CEOs, and doctors. The company currently has five people on its enterprise sales team but plans to increase hiring in this area. This approach pits Perplexity against companies such as Glean, which enable employees to search internal files and data using AI.The report further adds that executives said Perplexity will prioritise revenue and customer retention over metrics such as the number of questions answered. While the company did not disclose detailed financial figures, it said revenue grew 4.7 times last year, reaching $200 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by October 2025. Perplexity also said it will continue offering a free tier, though with certain limits.The move comes amid scepticism in Silicon Valley. At an AI conference last year, investors informally voted Perplexity as the company they would most likely bet against, citing concerns around the broader AI market. Still, Perplexity said it has been “busy building” rather than focusing on hype, with executives arguing that ads within AI responses can affect user trust.The move represents a shift for the company, which was among the early AI firms to experiment with advertising. In 2024, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said on a podcast that he expected ads to eventually become the company’s main monetisation model. “I think with advertising we could be really, really profitable,” Srinivas said in 2024.

Allu Sirish and Nayanika Reddy are gearing up for their big day on March 6, with vibrant pre-wedding events lighting up the festivities! Family and friends, including beloved figures Ram Charan and Upasana, gathered at a private celebration hosted by Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy.

‘Pushpa’ star Allu Arjun’s younger brother Allu Sirish will be tying the knot to his fiancée Nayanika Reddy on March 6. The family has already started the pre-wedding bash with a Dubat yacht party and the traditional and Pasupu ceremony. Now, the celebrations have added another special private party, as the party was hosted by the soon-to-be groom’s brother and sister-in-law.

Pre-wedding festivities begin in full swing

The pre-wedding party was hosted by Allu Arjun and his wife Allu Sneha Reddy. The small gathering, which included close friends and family members, was held at their home. Interestingly, the picture that is making the rounds on the internet also shows Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Kamineni Konidela at the bash.

Ram Charan and Upasana at the party

In the picture, Allu Sirish can be seen donning a smart black embroidered blazer, where he also put on a matching shirt and trousers. Meanwhile, his fiancée, Nayanika Reddy, is seen wearing a shimmery black dress and looks stunning.Talking about what the new parents of the twins wore, Ram Charan and Upasana Kamineni Konidela matched in stylish black outfits. Arjun wore a shimmery black suit, while Sneha Reddy chose a black dress with a white bow.

First wedding invitation given to Chiranjeevi

A few days ago, Allu Sirish went down to his uncle Chiranjeevi with his parents, Allu Aravind and Nirmala to give the first wedding invitation. In his Instagram post, he shared a picture and wrote, “As per Telugu customs, gave the first invite of the wedding to my uncle @chiranjeevikonidela garu and aunt Surekha.” Earlier, the actor also shared glimpses from the Pasupu ceremony held at their residence.

Pasupu ceremony at Allu residence

The decor looked bright and calm. Yellow marigolds and white flower garlands were everywhere. The entrance had flower hangings. A big flower backdrop was set for the rituals. Later in the video, women from the family were seen performing prayers in front of a deity idol placed on a decorated pedestal.Allu Sirish got engaged to Nayanika on October 31, 2025. Interestingly, their wedding date, March 6, is also the wedding anniversary of Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy, making the day even more special.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Meerut on Sunday to flag off the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat train from Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat station. (Image Credit: Anushka Kogta/TNN)

NEW DELHI/MEERUT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Meerut on Sunday to flag off the Meerut Metro and the Namo Bharat train from Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat station. He will undertake a metro ride from Shatabdi Nagar to Meerut South station before inaugurating and dedicating development projects worth around Rs 12,930 crore to the nation.PM Modi is also scheduled to address a public gathering during the event.Namo Bharat: India’s First Regional Rapid Transit SystemThis includes the inauguration of the remaining sections of India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) — the 5-km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and the 21-km stretch between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.

Image Credit: Anushka Kogta/TNN

Designed for a top speed of 180 kmph, operational speed 160kmph, Namo Bharat is India’s first regional rapid transit system aimed at transforming high-speed intercity travel. The corridor connects key urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar, and Meerut with Delhi.Multi-Modal Connectivity At Sarai Kale KhanSarai Kale Khan, the originating station of the corridor, is among the four Namo Bharat stations being commissioned. It has been developed as a major multi-modal hub, seamlessly integrating with Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, the Pink Line of Delhi Metro, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT, and the Ring Road.

Image Credit: Anushka Kogta/TNN

The other three stations being commissioned — Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram — are located in Meerut. The project is expected to decongest roads and significantly reduce vehicular carbon dioxide emissions.Meerut Metro: India’s Fastest Metro SystemSeparately, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Meerut Metro services between Meerut South and Modipuram. In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Meerut Metro will operate on the same infrastructure as the Namo Bharat corridor.With a maximum operational speed of around 120 kmph, the Meerut Metro will be India’s fastest metro system. The metro is expected to cover the entire stretch in approximately 30 minutes, including all scheduled stoppages.This integration of intercity Namo Bharat services with intra-city Meerut Metro operations on a shared corridor is being projected as a benchmark model for urban and regional transit planning in India.

An intelligence alert has been issued in Delhi following inputs warning of a possible terror threat near the Red Fort, with sources stating that terrorists may target a temple in the Chandni Chowk area, news agency ANI reported.

NEW DELHI: An intelligence alert has been issued in Delhi following inputs warning of a possible terror threat near the Red Fort, with sources stating that terrorists may target a temple in the Chandni Chowk area, news agency ANI reported.Intelligence sources told ANI, key religious places, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, remain on the radar of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Inputs suggest that the group may be plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) attack and that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be a potential target.Sources further indicated that the outfit is allegedly seeking to avenge a February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad and may be planning a major strike in India.Quoting intelligence inputs, sources said, “Blast alert in front of the Red Fort in Delhi. Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk. Lashkar-e-Taiba is plotting an IED attack.”“They are planning a major terrorist attack in India to avenge the February 6th mosque blast in Islamabad, Pakistan. Major temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba,” Intelligence sources said.Sources further stated that prominent temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba, indicating that prominent religious places remain on the group’s radar.Authorities have not publicly confirmed specific details of the alleged plot. Security arrangements have been strengthened in and around sensitive locations in the national capital.

November 2025 Red Fort blast

The alert comes in the backdrop of a deadly car explosion near Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed 15 people.The blast was caused by a car loaded with explosives near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station and triggered fires in multiple nearby vehicles.The investigation into that case is being handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).Recently, a Special NIA court at Patiala House Court on February 13 extended the period of investigation for a further 45 days to conclude the probe in the November 2025 Delhi blast case.The NIA had sought a 90-day extension to complete the investigation. The court has also extended the judicial custody of seven accused until March.

Veteran Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has strongly criticised all-rounder Shadab Khan following the latter’s recent comments aimed at former national players. The backlash comes in the wake of Pakistan’s defeat to India in the T20 World Cup, a result that triggered widespread criticism of the Salman Ali Agha-led side.In response to former cricketers questioning the team’s performance, Shadab had pointed out that he had at least been part of a Pakistan side that beat India in an ICC event — something he suggested the previous generation could not accomplish. The remark did not sit well with Shehzad.

Speaking during a television debate, Shehzad launched a fierce attack, questioning Shadab’s place in the national team and accusing him of benefiting from undue support. He alleged that the all-rounder had not done enough in domestic cricket to justify his selection and hinted at preferential treatment.“First of all, you came in through the back door (Ek to aap chor raastey se aaye ho). You’re neither a performer nor a regular in domestic cricket. Despite not performing at all, you’re getting the backing. You didn’t even do rehab after getting injured. They axed Hasan Ali from the central contracts, but not you. If that’s not favoritism, then I don’t know what is. It doesn’t look good when you make such statements. And you’re comparing yourself with the team from the 90s? They had their issues and lost to India in World Cups, but they were far superior to you. Look at their performances; they dominated India during that period. Just because two former players criticized the team, you suddenly forgot the backing they gave you. So, learn to respect your seniors,” said Shehzad.The debate also featured former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir and ex-wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, both of whom weighed in on the controversy.Amir expressed disappointment over Shadab’s timing, suggesting that such remarks were inappropriate during an ongoing tour.“If you’re on tour, there will be criticism. So, you’ve got no right to say such things when you are on tour. Even we used to get criticized during tours, but my focus was to shut those critics up with my performances. So, if you’re not performing, you should keep quiet,” Amir noted.Latif, meanwhile, offered a pointed response of his own.“Shadab should get credit for showing the courage to say what he said. Everyone has the right to speak, so it is okay,” Latif added in a sarcastic tone.