Mumbai, Feb 10 (IANS) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has failed to get any major concessions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for agreeing not boycott the match against India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played on February 15 in Colombo.

In its negotiations with the ICC, the PCB has sought a higher share of revenue from ICC and had also asked the sport's governing body to ask BCCI to approach the Indian government seeking the restart of bilateral cricket ties between the two countries.

The PCB has also asked the ICC to get the Indian players to drop their "no handshake" policy with Pakistan players, which was started during the 2025 Asia Cup.

However, in its official statement on Monday, the ICC made no mention of these demands by the PCB.

"The dialogue between ICC and PCB took place as part of a broader engagement with both parties recognising the need for constructive dealings and being united, committed and purposeful in their aspirations to serve the best interests of the game with integrity, neutrality and cooperation," the ICC said in its official statement.

The ICC statement was issued soon after the Pakistan Government released a statement in Islamabad, allowing its team to take the field for the match against India on February 15.

"In that prevailing spirit, it was agreed that all members will respect their commitments as per the terms of participation for ICC events and do all that is necessary to ensure that the ongoing edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is a success," the ICC further said.

Regarding Bangladesh, the ICC said it will continue the facilitation of the growth of the sport in the country.

"With respect to Bangladesh, the ICC reiterated its continued facilitation of growth in one of cricket’s most vibrant markets, with more than 200 million passionate fans to ensure that the national team's non-participation in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 does not have any long-term effects on cricket in the country," the ICC statement said.

--IANS

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Islamabad, Feb 10 (IANS) The Pakistan Government has made a U-turn on its earlier stance and has now allowed the men's cricket team to play its scheduled match against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on February 15.

The Pakistan government has earlier asked the team not to take the field for the clash against archrivals India to show support to Bangladesh, which was thrown out of the ICC T20 World Cup and replaced by Scotland after its demand for relocating its matches from India to Sri Lanka was rejected by the ICC.

But with the ICC taking a hardline stance on Pakistan's threat to boycott the India match and with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)_ and the Sri Lanka government requesting Pakistan to reconsider its decision, Prime Minister Shasbaz Sharif has given the green light to the Pakistan men's team to play the match.

The Pakistan government said it has permitted its team to play the February 15 match because of requests from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"The Government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan's leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges," the Pakistan Government said.

"The Government further noted the statement by BCB President, Mr. Aminul Islam. The profound gratitude expressed by our brotherly nation was received with great warmth. Pakistan reaffirms that it stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh.

"This evening, the Prime Minister held a telephone call with H.E Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka. During their warm and friendly conversation, they recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially during challenging times. The Sri Lanka President requested the Prime Minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolving the current impasse.

"In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussion, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup," said a statement issued by the Pakistan Government on Monday night.

The stand-off between ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board started on February 1 when Pakistan's premier Shahbaz Sharif cleared the team to feature in the World Cup but barred them from taking the field in Colombo against India.

Pakistan's boycott came in the aftermath of a stand-off between the ICC and Bangladesh, which started last month. The ICC rejected Bangladesh's demands to relocate their matches from India to co-hosts Sri Lanka over security fears, replacing them with Scotland.

The Pakistan team is currently in Sri Lanka and will play its second Group A game against the United States on Tuesday.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the people of Maharashtra for once again endorsing the “Bharatiya Janata Party and its Mahayuti” alliance in the recently concluded Zilla Parishad elections.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister described the results as a clear mandate for good governance and an alliance rooted in the state's rich cultural heritage.

The BJP-led Mahayuti, which includes the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party under Ajit Pawar, secured a decisive win, claiming 552 out of 731 Zilla Parishad seats. The alliance also captured over 1,000 of the 1,462 Panchayat Samiti seats, according to the State Election Commission.

Within the coalition, the BJP emerged as the largest contributor with 225 seats, followed by the NCP with 165 and Shiv Sena with 162. This performance builds on the alliance's earlier successes in the 2024 Assembly elections as well as recent municipal corporation and municipal council polls held in phases through late 2025 and early 2026.

Prime Minister Modi expressed deep gratitude to the “sisters and brothers of Maharashtra” for their continued support. He emphasised that the verdict reflects a widespread desire across both rural and urban areas for effective administration and development aligned with the state's glorious traditions.

He extended special compliments to every Mahayuti worker who campaigned tirelessly on the ground, highlighting the Maharashtra Government's achievements and the NDA's broader vision for progress and welfare.

The results showed the ruling alliance's dominance in local governance following its strong showing in urban civic bodies, where it won majorities in key municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and others. Voter turnout in the Zilla Parishad polls stood at around 68.28 percent indicating robust participation. This latest triumph reinforces the Mahayuti's momentum in Maharashtra, strengthening its position at the grassroots level.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier noted that the outcome demonstrates public confidence in the alliance's performance across urban, semi-urban and rural regions.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has escaped financial sanctions or suspension for its refusal to send its men's cricket team to India to play the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, resulting in the International Cricket Council (ICC) replacing them with Scotland in the event, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The ICC decision not to impose financial sanctions on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) came after a tri-partite discussion also between the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Lahore on Sunday.

"It is agreed that no financial, sporting, or administrative penalty will be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter. It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact," the ICC said in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment.

However, many fans of the sport will consider the ICC's approach as a climbdown from its stance when it decided to bring in Scotland into the T20 World Cup 2026 in place of Bangladesh, after seeking to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka at a late juncture.

"While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB's position as a valued Full Member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game. The ICC also reiterated its continued facilitation of growth in one of cricket’s most vibrant markets, with more than 200 million passionate fans to ensure that the national team's non-participation in ICC Men's T20 World Cup does not have any long-term effects on Cricket in the country," the ICC said.

While many people will see this as a soft approach by the ICC and consider that the sport's governing body has succumbed to the pressure from Pakistan and Bangladesh, the ICC defended it as a "forward-looking alignment reached in good faith".

"The highlights of the dialogue reflect a forward-looking alignment reached in good faith and are intended to provide clarity on the current position of the stakeholders. They do not alter, qualify, or detract from the ICC’s constitutional autonomy, governance framework, or established decision-making processes, all of which remain fully applicable," the ICC statement said.

The ICC has also allocated to Bangladesh the hosting rights of an ICC event between 2028 and 2031. This event is expected to be the ICC Men's U19 World Cup 2028.

"As part of this understanding, an agreement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to the usual ICC hosting processes, timelines, and operational requirements.

"This reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC’s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities across its membership to develop cricket in the country," said the ICC statement.

The ICC also stated that all stakeholders have decided to remain committed to continued dialogue, cooperation, and constructive engagement in the best interests of the sport.

"The ICC, PCB and BCB, along with other Members, remain committed to continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement in the best interests of the sport. All stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity.

ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said: “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation. Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders, including BCB, to ensure the sport grows sustainably in the country and that future opportunities for its players and fans are strengthened. Bangladesh remains a priority cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term investment in its development, competitiveness, and global integration, and is not defined by short-term disruptions.”

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Feb 9 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has inaugurated Gujarat’s first CNG-based dog crematorium, offering pet owners a scientific and dignified method to conduct the final rites of their dogs, officials said on Monday.​

​The facility, operated by AMC’s Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), is also the first municipal-run pet dog crematorium in an urban area in India.​

The crematorium has been set up at the CNCD ABC Centre in Behrampura, on the Suez Pumping Station campus.​

Implemented at a cost of Rs 30 lakh by North East Machine Karmasad Agency, the gas-fired cremator can cremate up to three dogs simultaneously.​

“The facility is designed to ensure a respectful farewell for deceased pets while adhering to environmental standards. Pet owners can witness the cremation from home through CCTV, and ashes are handed over in a dignified manner,” said an official.​

The cremator features primary and secondary chambers that prevent smoke, odour, or colour from escaping during operation.​

It operates at up to 850°C, while typical cremations are conducted between 800°C and 900°C. Cremating two dogs requires approximately 14 units of natural gas, with the cost for one dog estimated at Rs 700.​

The cremator is environmentally compliant, smoke-free, odourless, and eco-friendly. An automated trolley system allows safe transfer of the deceased dog into the cremator.​

The cremation chamber measures approximately 4 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. AMC has also been operating a small organ cremator for the disposal of organs generated during neutering operations over the past two years.​

The corporation has established a structured procedure for pet cremation. Pet owners report deaths via a dedicated helpline and submit registration receipts. Rituals, flower offerings, and prayers are conducted at the site before the pet is transported to the crematorium.​

Owners can participate in the cremation ceremony if they wish. For unregistered pets, AMC provides online registration and donation facilities.​

Families receive photographs, videos, death certificates, and annual memorial reminders. The initiative addresses both emotional and public health concerns.​

Burial of deceased dogs can lead to soil contamination and the spread of diseases such as canine distemper.​

Cremation ensures these risks are eliminated. Currently, Ahmedabad has 16,843 registered pet dog owners with 19,162 registered dogs.​

AMC has stated that, based on demand, two additional dog crematoriums will be planned.​

The launch is part of ongoing animal welfare initiatives under the ABC Rules–2023 and NAPRE–2030, including vaccination, neutering, medical care, and welfare programmes for stray and pet dogs.​

--IANS

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Pune, Feb 9 (IANS) Vani Kapoor, Ridhima Dilawari, Amandeep Drall and Sneha Singh will be among the top names who will tee up at the third leg of the Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Oxford Golf Resort in Pune.

While Vani won five times in 2025 and topped the Hero Order of Merit, Ridhima has had a good start in 2026.

She was runner-up to Jasmine Shekar in the opening leg at Mumbai’s Bombay Presidency Golf Club, and won the second leg at Kalhaar Blues & Greens in Ahmedabad.

The Oxford Golf Resort in Pune is regarded as one of the best courses in India and will provide a great challenge to the field of 44 players, who will battle it out for a handsome purse of Rs.17 lakhs. The field includes five amateurs.

The Order of Merit is led by Ridhima with earnings of Rs. Four lakhs and she is followed by Jasmine Shekar, who won the opening leg in Mumbai.

Five top Indians are skipping the event as they are busy with LET’S season-opener in Saudi Arabia, where the highly lucrative $ 5 million PIF Ladies International in Riyadh will signal the start of the 2026 calendar.

The Indians in the field for Saudi are Diksha Dagar, Avani Prashanth, Pranavi Urs, Hitaashee Bakshi and Aditi Ashok, who divides her time between the LET and the LPGA.

The field for the third leg also includes Tvesa Malik Sandhu, who is using the domestic Tour to find her rhythm for the Ladies European Tour.

Neha Tripathi, Jasmine Shekar, Khushi Khanijau and Shweta Mansingh, all of whom are capable of notching up an early win in the season, are also in the field.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) The Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare on Monday said that the party has made a significant surge in the elections held for the 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis, adding that it is a tribute paid by the people to former president and Deputy Chief Minister late Ajit Pawar. ​

"This victory is a tribute paid with gratitude by the people to the work and tireless efforts of our late leader and the state's former Deputy Chief Minister, Ajitdada Pawar," Tatkare said, expressing his emotions.​

The NCP triumphed in the local body elections. Tatkare dedicated this victory to the late Ajit Pawar's tireless efforts for the common people, emphasising a continued commitment to his legacy and public service.​

Commenting on the election results, Tatkare stated that Ajitdada had dedicated his entire life to the development of the common man at the grassroots level. ​

“He worked day and night to ensure the flow of development reached every corner of Maharashtra. Today's result is not just a victory but a grand testimony to the unwavering faith the public has in Ajit Dada’s ideology and his firm leadership. 'We will carry forward Dada’s legacy with greater responsibility,” said Tatkare.​

He further stated, “This victory has increased our responsibility. Our resolve to serve the people more honestly while preserving the legacy of development handed down to us by Ajitdada has become even stronger."​

As this was the first major local body election since the passing of Ajit Pawar, all eyes were on these results. Following the success in the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, a wave of excitement has spread among NCP workers, with victory celebrations taking place in various locations.​

Meanwhile, state revenue minister and BJP in-charge of local body elections, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, said that a vote for Ajit Dada was a vote for Mahayuti, adding that rural voters stand behind the BJP-led coalition. ​

He said that the BJP has emerged as the number one party in Maharashtra, credited the "double-engine government" for the success, and emphasised that the rural population is firmly supporting the state and central governments.​

Bawankule stated, "I had already said that the BJP would be the number one party in Maharashtra. Just as in Municipal Corporations, the BJP will have Presidents in nearly 8 Zilla Parishads. We took the 'double-engine' government’s work to the people. Development in rural Maharashtra will now proceed through these Zilla Parishads." ​

He remarked that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has declined because voters now prioritise development over criticism. ​

He claimed that Congress’s "negative campaign" led to their rejection by the public and suggested that Sharad Pawar failed to provide effective guidance to the MVA, leading to their poor results.​

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 9 (IANS) The credit war over halting the Bengaluru Metro fare hike erupted between the Congress-led government in Karnataka and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday.

The BJP has claimed that the Metro fare hike was put on hold due to the intervention of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

However, the Congress-led government in Karnataka has said that the decision was taken by the state government.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, while speaking over the controversy surrounding the proposed hike in Namma Metro fares and then the halt on it, claimed, "The Congress-led Karnataka government has taken the decision to halt the Metro fare hike. The letter sent by the Central government has no value."

"There is no politics involved here. The Central government has no authority to issue directions or interfere in this matter. I have instructed officials to recalculate fares afresh in accordance with the formula followed by the Delhi Metro," he said.

"I thought a meeting would be convened in Delhi on the Metro fare hike. I was waiting to see what orders would be issued after the meeting and what kind of politics would be played. Politics has overtaken facts in this matter. That is why I remained silent. The Delhi meeting has now been postponed. Those claiming a temporary victory should have convened a board meeting and issued directions today," he added.

Responding to allegations that the state government had sought a fare hike, Shivakumar said, "The Central government may have written a letter asking that the fare hike be halted, but even they have no legal authority to do so. If they can state under which law or Act they have written the letter, we will accept it. If a fresh decision has to be taken, a new fare fixation committee must be constituted. I am working to be the voice of our people."

"Based on my political experience and after discussions with Metro corporations of other states, subject experts and Central government experts, it is clear that until a new committee is formed, the Central government has no authority to make such recommendations. A new committee alone will issue directions. It is not that those who wrote the letter are unaware of this; I do not consider them fools. Local MPs may speak on this issue, but they too have to manage all states. Some people are taking names based on the letter that has been written, but that is not possible. We did not ask for a fare hike. The earlier committee's decision was implemented," he added.

When asked about claims that certain individuals were responsible for halting the fare hike, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "Anyone can take credit if they want. Ultimately, what matters is that it benefits the people. I am not fighting for war credit. I am fighting so that people benefit. The burden should not fall on commuters or the Metro organisation. I am not working under anyone's pressure. In the end, both BMRCL and the people must survive."

"We were neither consulted nor spoken to regarding the fare hike. No discussion took place now. The decision to increase fares was not taken recently; it was taken a year ago. On February 9, 2025, the fare revision committee had ordered a five per cent hike to be implemented on February 9, 2026. The fare hike was carried out accordingly. Those who are speaking now did not raise any objections then. The people of Bengaluru accepted it with dignity," Shivakumar said.

"We have now taken a decision at the state government and official level regarding halting the fare hike. BMRCL has three main criteria for fare revision -- OMR costs, changes in CPI, staff costs, per-unit cost and fuel costs. Based on these parameters, the state government has guided officials to recalculate the fares once again. Until then, I have instructed that the fare hike be put on hold," he added.

"Some say our Metro fares are higher compared to other cities. For example, in Delhi, security responsibilities are under the Central government and handled by the CISF. Here, we bear the security responsibility ourselves. Additionally, we also pay GST. The state government has paid Rs 1,064.32 crore towards cash loss reimbursement. We have paid Rs 4,002.23 crore to the Central government towards loan repayment. In total, Rs 5,066.55 crore has been paid," Shivakumar said.

When asked how long the fare hike would remain suspended, he said, "Everything has stages. I cannot say it will be resolved in one or two days. Just as other metros move at a certain speed, our Metro will move at the same pace."

Asked why politics was being played only in Bengaluru despite metros operating in several cities, Shivakumar said, "Here, there are only cameras, voices and microphones. Has anyone spoken like this in Delhi, Mumbai or Hyderabad? No one has. One MP is arguing, and you in the media keep flashing his photo," he remarked.

Reacting to BJP leader R. Ashoka's demand that a letter be written to the Centre saying that the state government had no role in the fare hike, Shivakumar said, "He can say whatever he wants before the media. If he tells me what he wants, I will respond accordingly."

When asked whether he would press for the formation of a new fare fixation committee, he said, "For now, I will not get into that confusion. Within the authority of the state government, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar will do whatever is possible. This is our land. We are finding a way to help our commuters."

Asked whether people could expect a five per cent fare reduction, he said, "I have instructed that a fresh calculation be done. In any organisation, expenditure patterns change. Similarly, here there are factors such as fuel price increases and other cost variables."

On whether fare revision falls under the jurisdiction of the Central or state government, Shivakumar said, "It does not come under the jurisdiction of either. It comes under the fare revision committee. Earlier, state government representatives were part of the committee; now they are not."

Asked whether fares could be revised under the old committee, he added, "There is no authority to do so. Until a new committee is formed, neither the Centre, nor the state government, nor BMRCL has the authority."

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (IANS) Calling it a major boost to bilateral ties, Bihar BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi on Sunday said the India-US Interim Trade Agreement marks a new chapter in economic cooperation between the two nations.

Reacting to the development, Saraogi said, “The India-US interim trade agreement gives a new direction to economic cooperation between the two countries. This agreement will strengthen trade, investment, technology, and supply chains, helping India achieve its Viksit Bharat goals. It is not just a trade agreement but also a step to elevate the strategic and economic friendship between India and the United States.”

His remarks came after the US and India announced a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade, aimed at paving the way for a comprehensive bilateral trade pact. As part of the announcement, the White House formally confirmed a reduction in tariffs on imports of Indian products from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, offering immediate relief to Indian exporters and industries.

According to a joint statement issued by both sides, the framework reaffirms India and America’s commitment to negotiations on a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement, talks launched by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025. Officials said the interim arrangement is designed to deliver early outcomes while supporting more resilient and diversified supply chains.

“The Interim Agreement between the United States and India will represent a historic milestone in our countries’ partnership, demonstrating a common commitment to reciprocal and balanced trade based on mutual interests and concrete outcomes,” the announcement noted.

Earlier this week, President Trump also spoke with Prime Minister Modi and later wrote on 'Truth Social' that both countries had agreed on a trade deal. He highlighted reciprocity, expanded market access, and efforts to address long-standing trade imbalances, while underlining the broader strategic importance of economic ties with New Delhi.

Under the proposed framework, India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and on a wide range of American food and agricultural products. These include dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, wine and spirits, among others.

On another matter, reacting to the arrest-related developments involving MP Pappu Yadav, Sanjay Saraogi said, “Pappu Yadav has had ongoing cases for years and is currently absconding, with orders for attachment and seizure already issued. The court has emphasised that an absconding accused must surrender, and if warrants or attachment orders are executed, the administration must ensure their arrest and imprisonment.”

--IANS

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Kuala Lumpur, Feb 8 (IANS) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "unequivocal" peacekeeping efforts and thanked him for his firm commitment to support diplomatic talks regarding the same in the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East.

In his remarks during the joint press meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian PM Ibrahim said, "I must express my appreciation, because my discussions with Prime Minister Modi are not just normal diplomatic exchanges, but those between true friends, full of trust and understanding."

"Therefore, I must also take this opportunity to express my regard and thanks to him for his firm commitment to support all peace efforts, be it in Ukraine-Russia or in the case of the Middle East, particularly Gaza. His efforts in peacekeeping are unequivocal," he added.

"We consider this meeting and these exchanges very vital, very strategic and critical to advance and enhance relations between India and Malaysia... We had long-standing relations since 1957, but we have elevated it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024," he said, and highlighted the "deep historical ties, strong people-to-people linkages, and ever-expanding economic cooperation".

"We'll continue to deepen collaboration in all fields -- trade and investment, semiconductor, digital economy, trade in local currency, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food, security, defence, education, healthcare, tourism, culture and people-to-people. It is really comprehensive, and we believe that we can advance this and execute in a speedy manner with the commitment of both our governments, both foreign ministers," he said.

The Malaysian PM said that both nations exchanged 11 documents, including MoUs, in an exchange of letters which "extended beyond normal bilateral arrangements" as the peacekeeping cooperation on semiconductor, healthcare and security cooperation has also been covered in it.

Malaysian PM Ibrahim further expressed hope in expanding trade cooperation with India, extending beyond the $8.59 billion figure that was achieved in 2025. He also called the use of local currency -- the rupee and the Malaysian ringgit -- a "remarkable feat".

"India is growing by leaps and bounds, which is one spectacular rise in the international economic trade scene, and therefore Malaysia, in the ASEAN context, certainly benefits immensely if we could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with India to extend beyond the $18.59 billion that we achieved in 2025.

He said that the educational ties remain "pivotal" as many Malaysians were educated in India, and there is a growing number of Indian students in Malaysia too.

"Since the last decade or so under the premiership of my good friend Prime Minister Modi, you have seen the spectacular recognition of Indian centres of excellence in education. That's not only comparable, but many of them have achieved outstanding recognition beyond the known institutions in the West. Therefore, we would certainly explore this to increase the number of students in the disciplines and fields to study in India," the Malaysian PM said.

He also stressed the need to focus on tourism and connectivity.

"As a sign of our good relations, I have immediately agreed to support the decision of the Government of India to open a consulate of India in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah," he concluded.

Earlier in the day, both leaders held delegation-level talks, discussing ways to enhance bilateral ties across several sectors, including defence and security.

PM Modi accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.

PM Modi's visit is being seen as a significant step toward further deepening the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia, rooted in mutual trust, shared values and common aspirations for the future.

--IANS

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Kuala Lumpur, Feb 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India's stance on terrorism is firm -- "no double standards and no compromise" -- and also stressed that New Delhi will continue to expand cooperation with Malaysia in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security.

Addressing a joint press meet with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, in Kuala Lumpur, PM Modi said, "First of all, I thank my friend, Anwar Ibrahim, for this warm welcome. Last year, I was not able come to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, but I had promised my dear friend that I would soon visit Malaysia. For my first foreign visit of 2026, I have come to Malaysia."

Highlighting the "special" India-Malaysia relations, he said, "We are maritime neighbours. For centuries, there have been deep ties between people of our two nations. Today, Malaysia is the second biggest nation in the world that has an Indian-origin population. Our civilisations are connected to shared cultural heritage and democratic values."

He credited the Malaysian PM for his "significant contributions" in providing a "new pace" to the India-Malaysia ties in the past few years.

"Our cooperation in energy, infrastructure and manufacturing has strengthened. Mutual investment has also increased in the digital economy, biotech and IT. Tourism and people-to-people ties have also deepened. By drawing inspiration from these achievements, we have decided to bring in unprecedented speed and depth in our partnership," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister further mentioned that the security cooperation between the two nations will be further enhanced by strengthening the cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security.

"We will also make defence cooperation more comprehensive," he said.

Along with AI and digital technologies, he said that India and Malaysia will further advance the partnership in semiconductor, health and food security.

"The CEO forum organised today has thrown open new opportunities for trade and investment. We will pave a path to economic transformation through strategic trust," he said.

On terrorism, PM Modi said, "We will continue to support all peacekeeping efforts. However, our stance on terrorism is very firm -- no double-standards and no compromise. I appreciate your (Malaysian PM Ibrahim) commitment to enhancing India-Malaysia ties. I hope that together we will continue to work towards achieving the resolutions of Prosperous Malaysia and Viksit Bharat."

PM Modi called the Indian diaspora living in Malaysia a "living bridge" between the two nations.

"Yesterday, I received the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living in Malaysia. With his presence, my friend PM Anwar Ibrahim enhanced the prestige of this event. This living bridge of 30 lakh people is a major power. Measures taken for their welfare provide a humanitarian focus to our relations," he said.

He also mentioned that steps like the Social Security Agreement for the protection of Indian workers in Malaysia, and a gratis e-visa, as well as a UPI digital interface for tourism in Malaysia, will "simplify the lives of citizens of both nations".

"Any partnership succeeds when the benefit reaches people directly," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi highlighted the interest in the Tamil language in Malaysia and said, "Shared love for the Tamil language also connects India and Malaysia. In Malaysia, the strong and living presence of Tamil can be seen in education, media and cultural life. I am confident that with today's Audio Visual Agreement, film and music, especially Tamil films, will bring our hearts closer."

Emphasising that the Indo-Pacific region is emerging as a "hub of global growth", the Prime Minister said, "We are committed, along with ASEAN, to development, peace, and stability across the Indo-Pacific. India gives priority to ASEAN centrality."

"I once again congratulate Malaysia on its successful ASEAN leadership. With the support of friendly countries like Malaysia, India will further strengthen its ties with ASEAN. We agreed that the review of the ASEAN-India trade agreements should be completed soon," he added.

Earlier in the day, both leaders held delegation-level talks, discussing ways to enhance bilateral ties across several sectors, including defence and security.

PM Modi accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.

PM Modi's visit is being seen as a significant step toward further deepening the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia, rooted in mutual trust, shared values and common aspirations for the future.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (IANS) The manufacturing of electronic components is growing rapidly and 46 approvals have been granted — with Karnataka is set to receive investments exceeding Rs 10,000 crore, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

In Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman increased the budget for the electronic component manufacturing scheme from Rs 22,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore.

This will significantly accelerate the electronics manufacturing journey.

“Our Prime Minister has set a production target of $500 billion by the 2030-2031 financial year. Therefore, we all need to move very quickly in that direction,” said Vaishnaw as he inaugurated Zetwerk Electronics’ new world-class manufacturing facility for defence, automotive, and IT hardware electronics built in Bengaluru.

“Today, people are designing complete '2-nanometer' chips in India, which is a major achievement for the country, and equipment manufacturers have also started coming to India,” said Union IT Minister.

He mentioned that Applied Materials and Lam Research have been brought to India, and the next goal should be to bring ASML.

The minister further stated that commercial production will begin this year. In the coming days, the first commercially produced chip from a semiconductor plant will be in our hands.

'Semicon 2.0' will be effective, focusing on design, equipment manufacturing, chemicals, gases, validation, and yield improvement — all functions required for a sustainable semiconductor journey.

“We aim to prepare 85,000 silicon engineers over 10 years, and in four years, we have already trained 67,000. Consequently, a large part of chip design will practically happen in India. This will be a major shift in the coming years,” said Vaishnaw.

He stated that with the arrival of the 'fab,' we have now mapped a path from 28- nano meter to 7-nano meter, which will be part of Silicon 2.0.

“We believe in a cooperative system and that the country grows only when all states grow,” he added.

Vishal Chaudhary, Co-founder and Managing Director (Aerospace and Defence), Zetwerk, said that electronics manufacturing today demands deep integration across design, engineering, suppliers, and scaled production.

"This facility has been built to bring those capabilities together seamlessly, enabling faster validation, stronger quality control, and predictable, high-reliability execution across the product lifecycle," he added.

—IANS

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Los Angeles, Feb 9 (IANS) Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke has said that, as a young actor, he was often facing off against a now-friend for roles, Billy Crudup.

The actor recently attended the episode of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’. The 55-year-old actor shared that Crudup "happens to be a friend of mine, but not at first”, reports ‘People’ magazine.

He said, "Because we used to go up, we used to audition for everything (together). And you know when you're a kid, you think you're against everybody, right? You don't understand that there's room for everybody to find themselves, to do their thing”.

He further mentioned, “So I would see him at every audition. I'd often have to be outside the room, and listen to him do the scene before me. And he was so good. It was so irritating. In fact, I was offered a play once, I think he knows this, and I had to say no to it, because I was doing a movie”.

“It was a Tom Stoppard play. And they gave him the part, and then his career blew up. And sometimes, I just want to go back in time, take the part, to stop his career”, he added.

As per ‘People’, Billy Crudup starred in the 1995 Broadway debut of Stoppard's play Arcadia as Septimus Hodge, later returning to the play's 2011 revival as a different character, Bernard Nightingale. Billy Crudup and Hawke starred alongside one another in the 2006 Stoppard trilogy of plays,The Coast of Utopia. Both actors were nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for their roles and Crudup ultimately won the award.

Ehtan Hawke recently earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as lyricist Lorenz Hart in the 2025 Richard Linklater film Blue Moon. Hawke was previously nominated for Oscars in other categories, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Feb 9 (IANS) The unit of director Srikanth Odela's eagerly awaited action entertainer 'The Paradise', featuring Telugu star Nani in the lead, has now begun shooting 'Aaya Sher', actor Nani's introduction song in the film on a massive set erected here in the city.

Sources in the film unit say that Nani is turning up the heat on the sets of his ambitious film 'The Paradise'. Shooting, they point out, is progressing at a brisk pace.

The team has started filming Nani's explosive introduction song titled 'Aaya Sher' on a colossal set, swarming with hundreds of dancers. Music director Anirudh Ravichander is believed to have delivered an electrifying mass number packed with grit and high-adrenaline vibes, perfectly tuned to suit Nani's raw, uninhibited dance style.

Choreographer Sudhan, who recently worked on Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan', is believed to have incorporated sharp, dynamic moves to elevate the song into a goosebump-inducing spectacle.

It may be recalled that only recently, the makers of the film had disclosed that actor Sampoornesh Babu plays a character called 'Biryani' in the film.

The film has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. Many of the fans believe 'The Paradise' will turn out to be yet another cinematic spectacle from Srikanth Odela, showcasing his distinctive vision.

For the unaware, Srikanth Odela previously served as an assistant director to ace director Sukumar in 'Nannaku Prematho' and 'Rangasthalam'. He made his directorial debut with 'Dasara', which featured Nani in the lead. The film garnered critical acclaim and became a box office success, crossing the ₹100 crore mark. Now, Odela and Nani have teamed up again for 'The Paradise'.

Well known Bollywood actor Raghav Juyal too is a part of 'The Paradise'. It may be recalled that the makers of the film had welcomed actor Raghav Juyal on board the film's unit last year. Also, actor Raghav Juyal, who is basking in the success of of 'Bads of Bollywood', has already announced that he will be changing his look for the film.

Backed by SLV Cinemas, 'The Paradise' is to set for a grand release on March 26, 2026. It is to release in eight languages namely Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Feb 9 (IANS) Singer-actress Lady Gaga had a gala time performing at the recent edition of Super Bowl. The singer-actress took to social media after Bad Bunny‘s electrifying Super Bowl Halftime Show to share what an honor it was to join the fellow Grammy winner on stage.

Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance during Bad Bunny’s set to sing a salsa-infused version of her 2024 hit ‘Die With a Smile’ after a real-life couple got married during the show, reports ‘Variety’.

She wrote in the caption, “It was my absolute honor to be a part of Benito’s halftime show. Thank you Benito for inviting me and thank you to the entire cast for welcoming me onto your stage. I wouldn’t miss it for the world”.

As per ‘Variety’, Ricky Martin also appeared during the performance, later giving his own reaction on social media by writing in Spanish, “They need to give me several hours to process the tsunami of emotions I’m feeling”.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show earned rave reviews. While Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin were the night’s musical guests, Bad Bunny also invited a handful of other celebrities to party on stage, from Pedro Pascal to Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Alex Earle and more. Gaga headlined her own Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2017.

She was recently nominated at the Grammys for album of the year with ‘Mayhem’. The prize was ultimately awarded to Bad Bunny’s ‘Debi Tirar Mas Fotos’. Lady Gaga was seen tearing up when Bad Bunny won the top award.

She told Entertainment Tonight, “I’m just so happy for him. What he means to people is so incredibly important. He is a brilliant musician and human being”.

“He is so incredibly kind. What he said is so inspiring. What’s happening in this country is so heartbreaking and we are so lucky to have leaders like him speaking up for what’s right”, she added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) Playback singer Mohit Chauhan, who has crooned the song ‘Mann Hawa’ from the upcoming film ‘Assi’, has shared that he fell in love with the honesty of the song from its first note.

‘Mann Hawa’ is a soulful yet stirring track that perfectly mirrors the spirit of this fast-paced investigative courtroom drama that dares to ask uncomfortable questions. It is composed by Rochak Kohli with lyrics furnished by Kumaar, and brought alive by the evocative voices of Mohit Chauhan, Parampara Tandon, and Rochak Kohli, the song captures the inner strength and quiet courage it takes to stand tall against the world.

Talking about the song, Mohit Chauhan said, ''Songs that unfold a story have always resonated with me, and I’ve always been drawn to those that have something to say. 'Mann Hawa' felt honest from the first note, and while recording it, I found myself just following the emotion and letting the story breathe”.

Anubhav Sinha shared, “‘Mann Hawa’ is not just a song, it is the emotional heartbeat of ‘Assi’. In a story that challenges truths and confronts the uncomfortable, this track stands for the courage to speak up, to rise, and to stand tall against all odds. It celebrates the strength we find within ourselves when we choose to confront the world with honesty and resilience”.

‘Mann Hawa’ is about choosing resilience over fear, truth over silence, and conviction over compromise. It gently uplifts the heart while instilling a sense of resolve, making you feel empowered to fight for yourself and what you believe in no matter the odds.

The film stars Taapsee Pannu in lead along with Kani Kusruti, Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, with special appearances by Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Pahwa.

Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, the film is a Benaras Media Works production, directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Anubhav Sinha. The film is set to release in theatres on February 20, 2026.

--IANS

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