AV 7th February 2026

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu meets the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate

Nirmala Sitharaman

Nirmala Sitharaman

Full story on page 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump during earlier trade talks at the White House, February 13, 2025

festo

A draft Equality (Race

Sp

expected to be introduced during the current parliamentar y session, which is likely to conclude in May

While sex-based pay dis-

equal pay cases, race and d

n claims cannot currently be pursued in the same way

As a result, far fewer

s u c h c a s e s a r e b r o u g h t ,

s u g g e s t i n g t h a t e x i s t i n g equal pay legislation provides stronger legal reme-

dies than those available

linked to ethnicity or disability

Speaking in parliament, equalities minister Seema Malhotra said the government remained “commit-

would be brought for ward “ soon ” , but she declined to provide any dates She was

Group

“We remain committed to our manifesto commitment and to making the right to equal pay effective

added that the government

employers

Malhotra was responding to Labour’s Janet Daby,

stituents are not being paid fairly” and asked when the

would be delivered

The proposed legislation would also introduce

disability pay gap reporting Malhotra said the government was “moving forward” with its plans

Former trustee slams Oxfam governance

A former trustee has called o n Oxfam’s bo ard to resign and ap olog ise for failing to add ress safeguard ing lapses follo wing th e Haiti scandal

Dr Balwant Singh, who resigned in protest at the dismissal of chief executive Halima Begum, urged the C h a r i t y C o m m i s s i o n t o appoint a caretaker board to o v e r s e e t h e c h a r i t y T h e Times reported that Oxfam is under regulator y scrutiny after serious errors in staff vetting between 2023 and 2025 The disclosure follows e a r l ie r s c a n d a l s , i n c lu d i n g

Great Ormond Street surgeon harmed 94 children

A n i nd ep en d en t re v i ew h as fo u n d that nearly 1 00 ch ild re n w e re h a rm e d by a surg eon at Great O rm o nd St ree t Ho sp ital (GOSH)

T h e r e v i e w

examined the care of almost 800 patients

t r e a t e d b y c o n s u lt a n t o r t h o p a e d i c

surgeon Yaser Jabbar between 2017 and 2022 Jabbar specialised in limb lengthening and reconstruction Of the 789 children under his care, the study concluded that 94 were harmed as a direct result of his actions, with 91 of these having undergone surger y performed by Jabbar Matthew Shaw, GOSH’s chief executive, said the hospital was “profoundly sorr y ” for those affected and stressed that lessons had been learned The report detailed the extent o f h a r m : 3 6 c h i l d re n e x p e r ie n c e d s e v e re harm, including delayed diagnosis or failed surger y; 39 suffered moderate harm; and 19 were mildly harmed, for example, by receiving unnecessar y general anaesthetic The remaining 642 patients were not harmed due to Jabbar’s care

failures

the 2010 Haiti abuse case, which the charity had previo u s l y c o v e r e d u p Si n g h described the recent vetting failures as “the latest governance failure to be exposeda n d , s

more

“ T h e e n t

b o a r d should resign immediately The trust the British public pl

s h a t t e

d , a n d t h e board bears full responsibility Trustees who understand t h e i

t h e Charity Commission should remove them and appoint a caretaker board,” Singh said He claimed Begum had

helped resolve them He also said she faced hostility after a

c i a l def icit through staff redund

under the bus ”

Oxfam said Singh had supported the board’s unanimous decision to remove Begum, citing “ an irretrievable breakdown in trust and conf idence ” The charity has commissioned a review of board processes and is cooperating with the regulator

B e g u m i s e x

t e d t o lodge an employment tribunal claim

The review follows an earlier investigation by the Royal College of Surgeons into G O S H’s p a e d i a t r i c o r t h o p a e d i c s e r v i c e , prompted by concerns from both families and staff Some affected children reportedly ended up with one leg up to 20cm shorter than the other, others suffered chronic pain, and one child under went a limb amputation that experts believe could have been avoided Jabbar, who now works in the United Arab Emirates, no longer holds a licence to practise medicine in the UK

I n r e s p o n s e t o t h e f i n d i n g s , N H S

England announced it will launch its own independent review in Februar y to examine potential governance failures

Muslim groups join review despite extremism fears

Th e Home Off ice has inv ited several Muslim organisations, p reviously restricted due to extrem ism co ncerns, to contribute to an independent rev iew of pu blic ord er and hate crim e law s

This review, led by Lord Ken Macdonald KC, was commissioned by Home Secretar y Shabana Mahmood following the October 2, 2025 terrorist attack on a Manchester synagogue The groups, including the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), were asked to provide evidence on how to protect communities from intimidation while safeguarding free speech

T h e i n c l u s i o n o f t h e s e g r o u p s h a s sparked criticism from shadow ministers, who warn that those accused of fostering division should not advise on legislation The r e v i e w a i m s t o a s s e s s w h e t h e r e x i s t i n g thresholds for harassment and incitement remain f it for purpose

I N B R I E F FOUR MORE YEARS FOR TULIP SIDDIQ

A

MODERN POLICING SHOULD PRIORITISE TECHNOLOGY

Police chiefs have said that the effectiveness of law enforcement should no longer be measured by the number of officers employed Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, told The Times that politicians and police leaders have long been driven by the “false belief ” that officer numbers indicate a well- organised service He argued that an obsession with recruitment has left UK policing struggling to keep pace with technology “Technology is now the new front line ” he said as criminals innovate faster than traditional policing methods

RESIDENT DOCTORS EXTEND STRIKE MANDATE

Resident doctors in England overwhelmingly voted to extend their mandate for industrial action for a further 6 months The British Medical Association (BMA) announced that 93 4% of those who participated backed continued walkouts in a long-running dispute over pay restoration and a critical shortage of training places While 26 696 doctors voted yes, the overall turnout was 52 5%, just exceeding the legal threshold The new mandate allows for strikes until August 2 , threatening further disruption to an NHS already facing a 7 4 million patient waiting list

RWANDA SUES UK OVER SCRAPPED ASYLUM DEAL

Rwanda has launched international arbitration against the United Kingdom seeking £100 million after the cancellation of a controversial asylum partnership between the two countries Kigali has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, alleging the UK breached the Migration and Economic Development Partnership Rwanda claims Britain failed to meet its financial obligations disclosed confidential aspects of the agreement and did not resettle vulnerable refugees as promised Although the UK has already paid £290 million Rwanda says two further £50 million payments due in 2025–26 and 2026 –27 remain outstanding

The Home Office said it would robustly defend the UK s position

Seema Malhotra

Balwant Singh

Yaser Jabbar

Halima Begum

Early cancer diagnosis requires specific approach

Mandelson scandal, the UK government has unveiled a £200 million programme aimed at ensuring patients from deprived and underserved communities receive earlier, potentially lifesaving cancer diagnoses This significant investment will benefit local communities throughout England, targeting the reduction of disparities in cancer screening and aiming to detect more cancers at an early stage

Over the past decade, progress in cancer survival rates has slowed, with England now lagging behind several other European nations for various cancer types Despite the critical role of early diagnosis in improving survival, there were marked differences in early detection rates between the wealthiest and poorest areas from 2013 to 2020

Starting in 2026, Cancer Alliances regional NHS partnerships responsible for coordinating cancer services and neighbourhood health services will collaborate directly with local communities, screening commissioners, and providers Their goal is to develop targeted campaigns to close the gap in screening uptake between the most and least deprived areas

Although British Indians have lower rates of several common cancers such as breast, prostate, and colorectal than the white population, they face a heightened risk for certain cancers, including gallbladder, liver, and oral or pharyngeal cancers These increased risks may be associated with particu-

lar cultural practices Research also suggests that South Asians in the UK are typically diagnosed with cancer at a younger median age (57 years) compared to the broader UK population (64 years)

Despite the NHS offering comprehensive, free cancer screening at the point of use, some individuals within these communities regardless of their economic status, may not fully utilise these services

A considerable and well-recognised stigma surrounding cancer persists in some South Asian communities This can result in secrecy, delays in seeking diagnosis, and concerns about being perceived as a burden Additionally, a minority may hold fatalistic beliefs, such as viewing cancer as incurable or as a form of divine punishment, which can further discourage engagement with treatment

Engaging with community newspapers such as Asian Voice, widely regarded as a trusted source of information, offers an effective way to reach South Asian communities more swiftly By promoting early cancer screening and diagnostic tests through these channels, individuals can be encouraged to take proactive steps towards their health Delivering these messages in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner increases the likelihood of early detection and, consequently, improves the chances of a full recovery This approach is worth consideration by Health Secretary Wes Streeting

Big on ambition, eyes on diaspora

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2026–27 on Sunday, 1 February At a glance, the budget offers little relief to the middle class and instead focuses on projecting long-term development goals for the next 25 years It appears caught between economic reality and ambitious rhetoric

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the budget as a pathway to vast opportunities, it does little to address the immediate concerns of ordinary citizens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently recognised the significance of India’s global diaspora, comprising 35 million individuals who enhance the nation’s reputation worldwide Therefore, to advance medical tourism, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new initiative to establish five regional medical hubs in collaboration with the private sector These hubs will serve as integrated healthcare ecosystems, offering treatment, education, research, AYUSH centres, medical tourism facilitation, and comprehensive infrastructure for diagnostics, post-care, and rehabilitation, while generating employment for healthcare professionals

Acknowledging the increased international interest in Ayurveda following the Covid pandemic, the Budget also introduced three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to strengthen research and academic excellence Additionally, the AYUSH Visa category, launched in August 2023, aims to promote wellness and healthcare travel to India The Budget further unveiled the BioPharma Shakti initiative; a five-year programme designed to position India as a global biopharma leader and enhance the life sciences and biotechnology sectors The Minister has increased the duty-free allowance for personal use and streamlined property sales taxation for non-residents (see p1)

Domestically middle-class taxpayers and salaried employees had hoped for meaningful income tax relief, but those expectations have not been met Finance Minister has prioritised investment in sectors such as artificial intelligence, data centres, semiconductors, rare earth minerals and infrastructure Public investment spending has been increased to around £99 billion, a 9% rise from last year, aimed at boosting transport, logistics and urban infrastructure

The budget also proposes seven high-speed railway corridors linking major urban and industrial hubs such as Mumbai–

Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri, along with 20 new national waterways These initiatives are expected to support domestic trade, but their economic impact will depend on timely completion

There is no doubt that the second budget of the Modi 3 0 government gives greater importance to high-technology sectors Initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission 2 0 and the Biopharma Shakti Mission aim to position India as a global centre for advanced technology The budget also reflects the government’s strong push to reduce dependence on imports

In view of Operation Sindoor and a rapidly changing global geopolitical environment, the government has announced a significant increase of around 15 per cent in the defence budget This signals a clear intent to strengthen national security At a time when several neighbouring countries are taking an anti-India stance, boosting military capability has become essential and the government has chosen to move decisively in that direction Overall, the Union Budget for 2026–27 has drawn mixed reactions

Britain prioritises survival over loyalty

In an European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) report, Timothy Garton Ash, Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard write that Donald Trump did not enter politics with the intention of enhancing China’s global standing; however, recent data from ECFR indicate that his actions may have contributed to this outcome in the perception of international audiences

They add, one year after Trump’s return to office, survey results reveal that there is a growing belief across multiple countries that China is poised to increase its global influence Even before the significant developments in Venezuela, Trump’s assertive “America First” strategy appeared to orient international attitudes more favourably toward China His rejection of the liberal international order has, paradoxically, enabled some nations to establish stronger ties with Beijing, as they no longer feel compelled to adhere strictly to the USled alliance system Concurrently, perceptions suggest that the so-called Western bloc is losing geopolitical significance, with America’s traditional adversaries expressing less apprehension while longstanding allies express concerns about becoming targets of aggressive US policies These divisions within the Western alliance are most apparent in Europe, both internally and in external perceptions

Globally, there appears to be a greater openness towards China or, at minimum, a decline in apprehension According to the latest ECFR survey, as citizens worldwide perceive their countries as increasingly autonomous in determining international partnerships, these findings are likely to be encouraging for policymakers in Beijing Conversely, European leaders now face the challenge of navigating an authentically multipolar world one which they have long envisioned, but whose manifestation presents unforeseen complexities

After Donald Trump imposed tariffs without restraint, Britain had to rethink its economic approach The UK realised that Trump’s unpredictable behaviour made him an unreliable partner Although the United States remains

Britain’s largest trading partner, China, now the world’s second largest economy, is also a key market for British goods and services The government has recognised that stronger trade ties with China are essential for British businesses, exports, and jobs

As a result, both countries have agreed on a services deal and closer cooperation in areas such as healthcare, finance, legal services, education and skills The Starmer government is using new international opportunities to boost Britain’s slowing economy It has also finalised a free trade agreement with India Despite opposition from the US, the government is pushing ahead to expand British trade in the world’s two biggest markets

Relations between Britain and China have historically fluctuated between optimism and scepticism However, the unpredictability of Donald Trump’s administration increased tensions between the UK and the US encouraged Britain to explore new diplomatic and economic partnerships This approach is not unique to the UK; several European nations are similarly enhancing their relationships with China, indicating a broader reassessment within Western countries

Many view China simultaneously as an economic opportunity and a potential security risk, with issues such as alleged Chinese espionage contributing to ongoing public debate Given these complexities, the Starmer government will need to manage its relationship with China with considerable care and deliberation

Overall, Britain's engagement with China is driven by practical considerations rather than ideology, as the government attempts to balance economic opportunities against potential security threats The sanction of a new embassy in London has been added to the problem The central issue is to see is whether Britain can strengthen its relationship with China without upsetting the United States, particularly given Donald Trump's influence

Thought for the week

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new ” Albert Eins tein

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

Can India Stay Autonomous After EU and US Deals?

I ’ ve just returned fro m I ndia T he fraction I saw was filled with everyth ing wo rking and peop le liking th eir Government and op timistic about the f uture Then I arrived in U K with images o f P eter Mandel son in h is underpants I was in I ndia with P eter when h e was Bus iness Minister N othing salacious to repo rt T hen again, u nl ike him, I resp ect th e O fficial Secrets Act

India’s doctrine of strategic autonomy has never meant i s o l a t i

becomes dependent on a single bloc for critical inputs: capital, energy, technology, defence supply chains, or export markets Integration with two competing blocs can actually increase autonomy by creating alternatives In classic realist terms, India can “hedge” rather than “bandwagon” It gains bargaining power by being valuable to both, and subordinate to neither

In practical terms, an EU–India FTA and deeper US–India trade and technology alignment are not identical instruments The EU tends to export regulation and standards; the US tends to export security-driven technology controls and market access Navigating both can widen India’s economic corridor rather than narrow it, provided India does not accept obligations that constrain future options

The three autonomy risks India must manage First, standards capture.

The EU’s strength is rule-making An FTA can pull India toward European standards on data, carbon, labour, and product regulation That can improve market access and quality, but it can also reduce India’s ability to set its own regulatory path India’s autonomy survives if it negotiates mutual recognition where possible, and avoids wholesale importation of frameworks that do not fit its development stage Second, technology entanglement.

The US relationship increasingly centres on semiconductors, AI, defence tech, and supply-chain security The benefit is access and partnership The risk is becoming a de facto extension of US export-control strategy against China, limiting India’s ability to trade pragmatically India must preserve “issue-by-issue alignment” rather than automatic alignment Third, dependency through concentration

Autonomy erodes when trade dependence becomes lopsided If too much of India’s exports, capital, or tech stack rely on one bloc, coercion becomes possible The remedy is deliberate diversification: multiple markets, multiple supply sources, and strong domestic capability in critical sectors

What India should do to integrate without becoming dependent

• Ke ep the doctrin e ex plicit: state clearly that economic partnerships do not imply security subordination

• Ne gotia te “aut onomy clauses”: protect policy space for industrial policy, subsidies, and public procurement where needed for development

• Build domestic capability in choke points: semiconductors, defence manufacturing, energy transition inputs, and digital infrastructure Autonomy is ultimately industrial, not rhetorical

• Use triangulation strategically: EU access for standards legitimacy and investment; US alignment for technology and security; retain pragmatic commercial space with others where interests permit

• Insist on reciprocity and mobility: particularly in services, professional visas, and recognition of qualifications Otherwise integration becomes one-way extraction of market access without human-capital flow

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A first at Silverstone as venue hosts Open Iftar

Silverstone is set to host its first Op en Iftar as part

o f R am a d an F e st iv al 2026, marking the first time a mo torsport v enue has held th e com munity

event

The Open Iftar will take place on February 21 in partnership with the Ramadan Tent Project It forms part of Ramadan Festival 2026, a nationwide programme of community events held across the UK throughout the month

Stuart Pringle, chief executive of Silverstone, said the venue was proud to be marking a significant milestone “Silverstone has always been a place where history is made, and we are proud to host our inaugural Open Iftar in partnership with the Ramadan Tent Project,” he said “Opening our doors during Ramadan is a privilege and an opportunity to use this iconic space in a way that centres on community, connection and shared experience ”

Now in its 13th year, Open Iftar invites people of all backgrounds to join the Muslim community in breaking

t

Principality Stadium and a number of Premier League football grounds

Elsewhere, Glasgow City Chambers will host an Open Iftar for the first time in its 138-year history on March 7

The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said the event reflected the city’s diversity “As a city enriched by many cultures, faiths and traditions, marking religious observances is an important reflection of who we are, ” she said “This first Open Iftar recognises the significance of Ramadan and Islam to many Glaswegians ” Ramadan Festival 2026 was officially launched at the W e l c o m e R a m a d a n C o n f e r e n c e a t S o h o T h e a t r e

Walthamstow, which attracted more than 500 attendees

This year ’ s festival theme is “Hope”, with events planned in nine cities across the UK

Additional initiatives include the Fast A Day campaign, which encourages non-Muslims to experience fasting alongside their colleagues, and the Ramadan Run Club, promoting inclusivity and wellbeing during the holy month

Shorter fasting hours as Ramadan moves into winter

T h e h o l y m o n th of R am a d an i s e xp e ct ed to b eg i n i n th e U K o n t h e evening of Febru ary 1 7 or 1 8, 2 0 2 6, a nd w il l l as t u n ti l aro und March 1 9, wh en Eid al-Fitr is due to be celebrated

T h e e x a c t s t a r t d a t e depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon by

r e l i g i o u s a u t h o r i t i e s , although most astronomical

c a l c u l a t i o n s i n d i c a t e t h a t the first day of fasting will fall on Wednesday, February 18 Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and around 11

d a y s s h o r t e r t h a n t h e G r e g o r i a n c a l e n d a r ,

Ramadan moves earlier each y e a r a n d i s n o w s h i f t i n g from spring into winter

Fasting hours in the UK will be relatively moderate this year, as the month falls in late winter Muslims fast from food, drink, smoking and sexual activity between sunrise and sunset, beginn i n g a f t e r t h e p r e - d a w n meal known as suhoor (or sehri) and ending with the evening meal, iftar

This will mean fasting for around 11 hours a day, s i g n i f i c a n t l y s h o r t e r t h a n the 16 to 17 hours observed when Ramadan occurs during summer

Blackburn welcomes new mosque

B la ck bu r n w i th D arw e n C o

w eekend to ur

The mosque opened in

S

o l site on Preston New Road, B l a c k b u r n , f o l l o w i n g f i v e years of planning and cons t r u c t i o n T h e £ 5 m i l l i o n

Healthy meal ideas for Suhoor and Iftar

mindful throughout the holy month

SU H OOR

, hydration, and protein to sustain you through the day

Ov ernig ht Oats with Nuts and F ruits

Ing red ients ( 1 serving):

v 40g rolled oats

v

based alternative)

v 1 tbsp chia seeds

v

sunset can leave the body in need of careful planning to maintain energy, hydration, and overall health In the

meals is essential

This guide offers practical, healthy recipes that are easy to make with locally available ingredients, help-

IF T A R

Focus on hydration, replenishing nutrients, moderate carbs, and lean protein Start with something light, then a balanced meal

Grilled Chicken with Quinoa & Vegg ies

Ingred ients (1 serving):

v 120g chicken breast

butter or almond butter

v ½ banana, sliced

v 5–6 almonds or walnuts

v 1 tsp honey (optional)

Instru ctions:

v Combine oats, milk, and chia seeds in a jar

v Refrigerate overnight

v In the morning, top with banana, nuts, and a drizzle of honey

Benefits: Slow-release carbs, p r o t e i n , h e a l t h y f a t s , a n d hydration

v ½ cup cooked quinoa

v 1 handful broccoli & bell peppers

v 1 tsp olive oil, lemon juice, herbs

Instructio ns:

project was funded by the Issa Foundation, established by Blackburn-born brothers Z u b e r a n d M o h s i n I s s a , founders of EG Group, and is named in memory of their late father, Vali Issa Zuber Issa said, “Masjid E Vali stands as a tribute to my father’s values of compassion, humility and serv i c e t o o t h e r s b r i n g i n g people together regardless of faith, ethnicity or background ”

c

Charity urges caution for people with diabetes during Ramadan

Di

healthy during Ramad an, as th e ho ly mo nth can raise co

sugar levels fall too low or rise too high The charity e m p

blood sugar levels and tak-

I s l a m r e q u i r e s f a s t i n g from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, but exemptions apply to those who are unwell or have medical conditions, including diabetes Diabetes UK stresses that people living with the condition are not required to fast, although some may still choose to do so

The charity is encouragi n g a n y o n e w i t h d i a b e t e s who is considering fasting to speak to their healthcare t e a m a n d s e e k r e l i g i o u s guidance from an imam to h e l p t h e m m a k e a n informed decision and manage their condition safely

break the fast

D

head of clinical at Diabetes UK, said fasting can affect the body in different ways and may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia, dehydration and high blood sugar levels, which in severe cases can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis C

d exercise physician Dr Zafar Iqbal added that following

Ramadan safer for people living with diabetes

v Grill until fully cooked

v Steam or sauté veggies in olive oil

v Serve with quinoa

v Marinate chicken in lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper

Benefits: Lean protein, complex carbs, fibre, antioxidants

Ramadan campaign aims to increase Muslim voter participation

T h e M u sl i m C o u nc i l o f Britain (MC B) has launched a natio nwid e campaign d urin g Ram ad a n ai m e d at increasing po litical engag ement and v oter particip ation among British M uslim s ahead of the local elections on 7 M ay 2026 T h e c a m p a i g n , t i t l e d Hungry for Change, seeks to m o b i l

action and strengthen political representation at a time o

rising hostility towards faith

C B said the initiative responds t

crimes, divisive rhetoric and f e a

ties feeling marginalised Ramadan has been chosen as the focus for the campaign because of its emphas i s o n r e f l e c t i o n , s o c i a l responsibility and commu-

n i t y a c t i o n T h e c o u n c i l highlighted a range of chall e n g e s f a c e d b y B r i t i s h M u s l i m s d u r i n g t h e h o l y m o n t h , i n c l u d i n g h i g h e r demand for domestic abuse support, a rise in public hate incidents and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, with m a n y l o w - i n c o m e h o u s eholds struggling to afford food for iftar

T h r o u g h H u n g r y f o r Change, the MCB is urging e l i g i b l e v o t e r s t o r e g i s t e r and take part in local elections, arguing that civic part i c i p a t i o n c a n i n f l u e n c e d e c i s i o n s a f f e c t i n g p u b l i c s e r v i c e s , y o u t h p r o v i s i o n and community safety

The campaign includes political education webinar s , c o m m u n i t y t o o l k i t s , voter registration drives and a v o l u n t e e r p r o g r a m m e encouraging supporters to act as “Get Out the Vote”

c h a m p i o n s w i t h i n t h e i r local communities

D i a b e t e s U K a d v i s e s p e o p l e w h o d o f a s t t o choose slow-release, highfibre carbohydrates at the p r e - d a w n m e a l , m o n i t o r blood sugar levels more frequently, and be prepared to

Further information and free resources, developed with the British Islamic Medical Association, are available on the Diabetes UK website at: www diabetes org uk/ramadan

Oldham runners go the distance for global aid

A gro up o f runners fro m

Ol dh am h a s ra i s ed mo r e th an £20,000 for overseas ai d and h umanitari an p rojects after taking part in th e Ma rr ak es h H al f a nd F u l l Marath ons

said, “This marathon was never just about running It w a s a b o u t p e o p l e f r o m Oldham and across Greater Manchester coming together to do something meaningful for families who are

Led by Afruz Miah, who has raised tens of thousands o f p o u n d s f o r c h a r i t y through running challenges in recent years, a team of 20 r u n n e r s t r a v e l l e d t o M o r o c c o t o s u p p o r t t h e fundraising effort The runners took part in the event i n M a r r a k e s h w i t h t h e m o n e y r a i s e d g o i n g t o Global Relief Trust, a leading UK Muslim charity supp o r t i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l a i d projects

Speaking on behalf of the group, Monwar Hussain

struggling, especially during winter ” D u r i n g t h e i r t i m e

Morocco, the group also visited an orphanage, where

with the children M i

o Uganda alongside other volunteers, to personally deliver aid and oversee humanitarian projects funded by the marathon, ensuring the m

impact

MIDLANDS/NORTH

Inspector clears way for Leicestershire Crematorium

C ontro versial p lans for a Hind u and Sikh crematorium in L eicestershire, prev iously rejected by cou ncil-

lo

after

p lanning inspector

ov erturned the d ecision

Plans for a crematori-

Drug dealers convicted over dad’s street death

I N B R I E F EXTREMELY

last year after prompting

Group, the proposal would

e 1 9 t h - c e n t u r y f a r m h o u s e a n d o u t b u i l di n g s d e m o l i s h e d a n d replaced with a crematoriu m , d i n i n g h a l l a n d c a r parking

T h e a p p l i c a t i o n d r e w 56 letters of support and 36 objections and was decided by councillors, who cited

c o n c e r n s o v e r l a n d s c a p e impact, scale and design

T h e C D S G r o u p

a p p e a l e d t h e d e c i s i o n , prompting a site visit by a g o v e r n m e n t p l a n n i n g i n s p e c t o r J a n u a r y 1 3

assessed the proposal based on the original plans subm i t t e d t o t h e c o u n c i l ,

d e s p i t e r e v i s e d d r a w i n g s being provided during the a p p e a l p r o c e s s T h e y stressed that “the appeal process should not be used to evolve a scheme”

I n t h e i r r u l i n g , t h e i n s p e c t o r c o n c l u d e d t h a t the “modern, yet typical”

d e s i g n w o u l d n o t b e incompatible with the surrounding landscape They s a i d t h e c r e m a t o r i u m w o u l

o u s grounds”, with a building height that was not excessive T h e i n s p e c t o r a l s o

A l l o w i n g t h e a p p e a l , t h e i n s p e c t o r s a i d t h e y h a d

noted that the site’s proximity to an existing burial ground meant the developm e n t w o u l d b e c o m p l ementary to the local landscape rather than appearing out of place While the s c

within the wider landscape, it would be “well designed and sensitively sited”

Overall, the inspector ruled that the development would have an acceptable

and appearance of the area and would be in a suitable location when considered against local and national planning policies governi n g c o u n t r y s i

ment

Birmingham mourns Cllr Waseem Zaffar

T ributes h av e poured in following th e su dden death of Birmingham councillor and c l ean ai r ca m p ai g n er

W as ee m Za ff ar , w h o h a s d ied ag ed 4 4 A devoted husband to his wife Ayesha and father to three young boys, Zaffar served the Lozells community as a councillor for 15 years A proud Brummie and passionate Aston Villa season ticket holder, he was known for his determination to stand up for his city and the people he represented

L a b o u r M P s , t r a d e u n i o n i s t s a n d l o c

c o lleagues described him as a towering figure in local politics, while political opponents also paid tribute to his commitment to community service and his love for his family He was awarded an MBE in 2012 for his work in

the community Zaffar was a vocal advocate for clean air and envi-

m

paigning to tackle pollution in Birmingham’s inner city He also served as a non-

Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

streets drew both praise and criticism One of his final social media posts showed him with his son at Villa P

beloved club

£17m Birmingham laundering ring busted

T w o Bi rm i n g h am m en, S h a za d J ah an a nd S a ji d Nawaz, have been sentenced for their roles in a sophistic ated £ 17 m i lli o n m o neylaund ering operation

T h e g a n g ’ s d o w n f a l l came from their brazen frequency: they made over 10 d

O

p

£200,000 in a single day A joint investigation by West M

Following their admis-

was also impli-

tences To date, authorities have successfully recovered nearly £1 million of the illicit funds

Tw o drug d ealers wh o ran the “A ce Line” hav e b een f o u nd g uilty of m urdering a muchl ov ed f at h er f o llo w in g a b ru ta l s tre et attack in Birm ing ham Craig Dean, known to friends as Yankee, was outside an address on Springfield Road, Moseley, on 7 July when a text-message argu-

Khan, 23, and Rahman, 25, drove to the scene, knocked Craig to the ground and repeatedly kicked him, stamping on his head as he lay seriously injured before fleeing West Midlands Police launched a murder investigation, but Craig’s life support was withdrawn two days later and he died from his injuries

Detectives carried out extensive CCTV enquiries and traced the suspects’ Vauxhall Corsa, which was found nearby containing DNA from both men Khan, of Anderton Park Road, Moseley, was arrested on 16 July at a holiday rental in Worcestershire Rahman, of Mapleton Grove, Acocks Green, attempted to flee the country but was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 25 July after returning to the UK

Both men were charged with murder and today were convicted at Birmingham Crown Court They are due to be sentenced on 24 February

Railway guard jailed for assaulting 14-year-old

A s ecu ri ty g u ard at a M i d l an d s rai l w ay s tation sexually assaulted a 14 -year-old girl w hile on du ty, a cou rt h as heard Aamar Mohammed, 35, targeted the teenager at Worcester Shrub Hill

s t a t i o n o n N o v e m b e r 14, 2021 CCTV showed him, wearing a high-visibility vest, approaching her to ask where she was travelling before escorting her to the correct platform He then persuaded her to enter an office so she could wait in the warm

Once inside, Mohammed turned off the lights and sexually assaulted her, causing physical injuries The girl fled and boarded her train, while Mohammed returned to his shift and was seen waving as the train departed The victim reported the attack to her family and police later that day Mohammed, of Shireland Road, Sandwell, was arrested and l a t e r c o n v i c t e d o f t w o c o u n t s o f s e x u a l assault He was jailed for three years and eight months, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention order and will be registered as a sex offender for life

New Bradford–Huddersfield rail link planned

Th e gov ernm ent has annou nced plans for a new railw ay connection between Bradford an d H u d d e rs fi el d as p a rt o f i ts £ 4 5 bn Northern Powerh ouse Rail (NPR) p rog ramme unveiled this month

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out the investment plan for Yorkshire and the North on 14 January, confirming the project will be delivered in three phases Routes serving Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford are prioritised for development in the 2030s, with l

Manchester line and improved Pennine connections Transport secretary Heidi Alexander told Parliament the Bradford–Huddersfield link would form part of phase three, building on existing Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) works

Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal welcomed the plans as “transformative”, saying they would unlock the region’s untapped potential

DANGEROUS TRIO JAILED

Three "extremely dangerous" men have been jailed for a combined 75 years after their EncroChat messages exposed plots involving drugs and military-grade weaponry Carl Ian Jones 59, attempted to broker sales of an AR15 assault rifle and discussed acquiring AK47s and Uzis Accomplice Harly Wise admitted to large-scale drug supply and a plot to kidnap a rival over a £350,000 debt, while Naginder Gill conspired in the drug operations At Bolton Crown Court, Jones received 30 years, Wise 25 years, and Gill 20 years for their roles in the high-level criminal network

EIGHT YEARS FOR HIGH-LEVEL DRUG BROKER

Azad Hussain 43 has been jailed for eight years after brokering large-scale drug deals across the UK Investigations into the encrypted EncroChat network revealed Hussain arranged the distribution of cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy, with some transactions exceeding £100,000 Despite a 2011 conviction for similar offenses, Hussain continued his operations until his 2025 arrest In court, his defense highlighted his role as a prison mentor and his commitment to reform While Judge Tina Landale acknowledged his "genuine remorse," she emphasized his commercial-scale involvement in organized crime A future hearing will attempt to recover his illegal earnings

BIRMINGHAM MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG SUPPLY

A Birmingham man has been charged in connection with the alleged supply of heroin and crack cocaine following a police raid in Handsworth Officers executed a warrant at a property on Rookery Road, where Munith Choudhury, 24, was arrested Police seized a large quantity of drugs along with several mobile phones believed to be linked to drug dealing A custommade silver grill, a removable decorative tooth covering suspected to be criminal property, was also recovered from the address Choudhury has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and possession of criminal property Enquiries are ongoing

SPARKHILL CANDIDATE ADMITS TROUBLED PAST

Shahid Butt, now 60, grew up in Sparkhill, spending his early years around Sparkhill Park playing cricket and socialising with friends He says from the age of 11 he became increasingly aware of racism in the area As a teenager, he helped form the Lynx gang, a predominantly Pakistani group that clashed with far-right organisations during the 1970s and 80s Butt has said he felt frustrated and angry as a minority and chose confrontation over caution, despite his parents urging him to avoid conflict In later years, he became involved in Islamist activism travelling abroad before being convicted in Yemen in 1999 on terrorism-related charges which he continues to deny

Shazad Jahan (left) and Sajid Nawaz

Waseem Zaffar

Hamza Khan (left) and Mohammed Rahman

Aamar Mohammed

Lords Committee hails ‘historic’ UK-India FTA

T h e “ hi stori c ” free trad e agreement ( FTA) between the U K and India p rov ides

s tr ateg ic a d v an tag e s and stability fo r businesses at a time of sig nificant global

e co n o m i c u nc er tai n ty, accord ing to a new repo rt

b y th e H o u s e o f L o r d s I nternational A g reem ents C omm ittee

The cross-party com-

m i t t e e , r e s p o n s i b l e f o r scrutinising all treaties laid

b e f o r e P a r l i a m e n t , launched its review of the India-UK Comprehensive

E c o n o m i c a n d T r a d e Agreement (CETA) in the months following its con-

c l u s i o n d u r i n g P

m e M i n i s t e r N

e n d r a M o d i ’ s visit to the UK last July Benefits and op portunities

The report describes the

d e a l a s a “ c o n s i d e r a b l e

a c h i e v e m e n t , ” n o t i n g t h a t negotiations were conducte d a m i d a c h a l l e n g i n g g e o p o l i t i c a l b a c k d r o p , including US trade tariffs

u n d e r f o r m e r P r e s i d e n t Donald Trump

“The UK has reached a landmark deal with a key strategic partner at a time of

c o n s i d e r a b l e g e o p o l i t i c a l turbulence,” said Lord Peter G o l d s m i t h , c h a i r o f t h e

c o m m i t t e e d u r i n g t h e inquiry

“We also welcome that the agreement is compliant w i t h W o r l d T r a d e Organisation rules, in light of the current challenges to the rules-based international order It is a significant achievement, and the gove r n m e n t s h o u l d c a p i t a l i s e on this by ensuring businesses can utilise it in practice ”

The committee’s review, which considered evidence from government and busi-

n e s s s t a k e h o l d e r s , f o u n d that the FTA will support UK companies in diversifying and de-risking their supply chains UK consumers are also expected to benefit f r o m g r e a t e r c h o i c e a n d lower prices once the agree-

ment comes into force

Sh ortcomings and missed opportu nities H o w e v e r , t h e r e p o r t h i

tions Benefits for UK goods exporters may take time to m

a n exporters gain immediate access to the UK market Key UK interests, such as

, the FTA offers limited new market access for financial or professional services

“ W e r e c o m m e n d t h e UK and India view the FTA a

, rather than a static one, and prioritise strengthening the terms of the agreement as the relationship develops,”

Lord Goldsmith added “ T h e g o v e r n m e n t should utilise the range of e x i s t i n g d i a l o g u e m e c h anisms and networks to further enhance the relation-

s h i p i n s u b s t a n t i v e a n d symbolic terms ”

The report also cautions

t h a t t h e r e c e n t l y a g r e e d

E U - I n d i a F T A m a y h a v e future implications for UKIndia trade, though it does n o t y e t a n a l y s e t h e s e impacts in detail

R ecommendations for t he UK government

To maximise the benefits of the agreement, the committee urged the government to:

- P u b l i s h a n i m p a c t

a s s e s s m e n t o f t h e

c um ul a t i v e e ffe ct s o f successive trade agreements on the UK agricultural sector

- C o n t i n u e b i l a t e r a l engagement with India on services trade and non-tariff barriers

- S u p p o r t b u s i n e s s e s , particularly small and m e d i u m - s i z e d e n t e rprises (SMEs), in using t

tively

- C l a r i f y t h

e n h a n c e d s u p p o r t t h a t w i l

provided through the H

India and its regional offices in the UK

The report stresses the importance of viewing the FTA as part of a wider, dynamic geopolitical con-

that the government take

realised

Economic impact

Dubbed a “landmark” agreement, the India-UK CETA is expected to boost annual bilateral trade by £25 5 billion, a significant increase on the £47 2 billion recorded in 2025 by

Business and Trade (DBT)

The agreement is current-

peers set to debate its provisions before ratification

the coming months

Starling boss says, “we’re on track for mega IPO”

S tarling Bank CEO Raman Bhatia co nfirm ed the d igital

l en d er is p r ep ar in g f o r a " m eg a IP O , " al th o u g h a stock market debut is not expected this year

Describing the bank as a coiled spring in the foothills of opportunity, Bhatia indicated that while a listing is likely in the near-term window, the location remains undecided between London and New York The bank, founded by Anne Boden in 2014, was valued at £2 5 billion in 2022 and is reportedly eyeing a £4 billion valuation in an upcoming secondary share sale

including

Councillor accused of pocketing taxpayer’s cash in Bangladesh

R eport s eme rge d t hat Sabina K h a n , a T o

councillor for the Mile End

£20,0 00 in ta xpa yer -fun ded a llow a nc

wh ile liv in g in Ba n g la d e sh f o r t h e p a s

e ig ht mont hs Khan, a member of the Aspire party, has reportedly been based in Sylhet since May 2025 to pursue a parliam

Party (BNP) in the upcoming February 12 national assembly elections

absence from the UK, Khan

which includes £11,898 as a councillor and £8,702 as the Scrutiny Lead for Resources

required meetings, joining

Bangladesh, she remains in office until the May 2026 local elections Her conduct

has been branded appalling by Communities Secretary Steve Reed, who wrote to

2025 urging action against councillors seeking political office abroad

The controversy follows a 2024 government inspection that found weak and confused governance within

tion Although the council informed Khan that standing for foreign office is unacceptable, she has assured her party whip of her continued commitment to her London constituents As of February 2026, she remains a serving councillor, though she has confirmed she will not seek re-election in the UK this spring

Van driver faces trial over smart motorway death

accused of causing the death of Pulvinder Dhillon by dangerous driving on 7 March 2022 The victim’s Nissan Micra had suffered sudden engine failure at 8:30 am, coming to a halt in the outside lane of the M4 between j u n c t i o n s 1 1 a n d 1 2 n e a r Reading P r o s e c u t o r s s t a t e d

smart motorway system was

not functioning that morning, meaning

d o

itability in May 2025, with revenues rising to £714 million and pre-tax profits of £223 million

The bank’s growth strategy focuses on three pillars:

, entering the US market, and scaling its software-as-a-service arm, Engine Engine, which provides digital banking ledgers for international

causing

to burst into flames

While 35 other motorists

obstruction, experts found O’Sullivan only attempted to steer away 0 5 seconds before impact The defendant claims a vehicle ahead swerved late, obscuring his view The trial continues as the court examines why the " a l l - l a n e r u n n i n g " s a f e t y technology failed to protect the stranded motorists on a road without a hard shoulder

overhead gantries Despite the vehicle being stationary for six minutes with hazard lights on, O'Sullivan’s Ford

More than 500 sign Waltham Forest parking petition

A c om m unity c am paig n in Wa l tha m Fore s t r ea c hed a m ajor miles tone as 581 resid e nt s s ig n e d a pe t i t ion dem anding free parking f or Friday prayers

Launched on January 1, 2026, the petition urges the council to suspend on-street p a r k i n g c h a r g e s b e t w e e n 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm every F r i d a y W o r s h i p p e r s o f Jumu’ah, a compulsory weekly prayer for Muslim men, a r g u e t h a t c u r r e n t r e s t r i c -

tions force them to choose b e t w e e n t h e i r f a i t h a n d avoiding expensive fines

Aslam Hansa, operations m a n a g e r a t t h e N o o r U l Islam Mosque, explained that the removal of 15-minute free bays has left elderly and less m o b i l e c o n g r e g a n t s s t r u ggling to attend While some z o n e s i n W a l t h a m s t o w already include lunch hour gaps in enforcement, most of the borough remains under strict control

A Waltham Forest council spokesperson responded b y s t a t i n g t h a t w h i l e t h e y work with mosques during Eid and Ramadan, there are no plans to alter current policies The council continues to prioritise sustainable travel as part of its climate goals If the petition reaches 1,500 signatures, it will trigger a f o r m a l c o m m i t t e e r e v i e w , while 3,000 would necessitate a debate by the full council

London officer numbers drop as Sadiq Khan defends policing

Th e M etrop olitan Police has experienced a sharp decline in o fficer num bers , lo sing 1 , 4 61 f u ll -t im e e qu i v a

£29 million fine from the Financial Conduct Authority in October 2024 for money-laundering con-

Starling reported its fourth

Since taking the helm in s u m m e r 2 0 2 4 f r o m O v o Energy, Bhatia has navigate d

, according to Home Office

events unfold this February, the city remains watchful

toward

public listing

Jonathan Reynolds Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer along with their Indian counterparts, Narendra Modi and Piyush Goyal

Raman Bhatia

Sabina Khan

Pulvinder Dhillon

Mahatma Gandhi remembered in London on Martyrs’ Day

O n 3 0 J a n ua r y, n at i on s around the world remembered one of the most pivotal fi gures in modern history, Mahatma Gandhi, on the annivers ary of his assassination in 1948

I n L o n d o n ,

h e H i g h Commission of India hosted a solemn commemoration of Martyrs’ Day, also known in India as Shaheed Diwas, with floral tributes, d e v o t i o

members of the Indian dias-

Floral wreaths were laid at

Gandhi, and bhajans were performed by students of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Also, present were Lord Krish Raval, Lady Kishwar

that Gandhi’s life, and even his death, only amplified his profound message of ahimsa, or non-violence, which r

continents and generations

Meghnad Desai, noting his

mental role in erecting the

enduring message of peace and non-violence At Tavistock Square and

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office In his

Parliament Square and promoting Gandhian ideals in public life

Haider Choudrey appointed fellow of British Asian Trust

T he British A sian T rust has a p p o i nte d Ha i d

C h o u d re y

F

w , s tr en g th en i ng it s ad v i s o ry and ambassado rial netw ork o f senior business leaders

C h o u d r e y j o i n s a n esteemed cohort of Fellows, i n c l u d i n g M

A

, and Chris Mathias, who support the Trust’s initiatives across South Asia CEO of Bestway Group and a trustee of the Bestway Foundation, he has long been involved in p r o j e c t s a d d r e s s i n g

d

c ation, health, poverty relief,

ment, with a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes H e s t u d i

d a t E t o n College and the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of

Accountants in England and Wales, combining structured business leadership with a c o m m i t m e n t t o s o c

responsibility

C

s appointment, Choudrey said

relies on partnerships built

accountability, adding that

exemplifies these principles

Choudrey as a Fellow, high-

tion’s mission Mehta also

Choudrey’s ongoing support, alongside Bestway Group, in advancing its work for vuln

South Asia

The appointment comes as the British Asian Trust continues to prioritise evi-

improve the lives of those m o s t i n n e e d a c

region

Navnat Bridge Club celebrates founder’s legacy

T h e Nav nat Bri d g e C lu b ( NBC) hosted a memorable C ard Fun Day on J anuary 25, bring ing tog ether over 20 0 m em bers of the co mmunity for a unique celebration of b ri d g e , f ri en d s h ip , an d rem em brance

T h e e v e n t w a s k i n d l y sponsored by Ushaben Shah

a n d h e r f a m i l y i n l o v i n g memory of her late husband, S h r i J a y a n t i b h a i K a s h a l c h a n d b h a i S h a h , a Patron and Founder Member who, along with other likeminded pioneers, was instrumental in establishing the Navnat Bridge Club over 25 years ago His vision continues to shape the club, which today boasts more than 120 active members

C o n c e i v e d b y U s h a b e n Shah, a member of the NBC Committee, the Fun Day was designed to bring together

b r i d g e c l u b s , c a r d p l a y e r s , and the wider Navnat community under one roof The idea proved a great success and marked the first time in NBC’s history that such a

l a r g e - s c a l e , i n c l u s i v e c a r d event was organised

T h e d a y f e a t u r e d 2 7 tables of competitive bridge,

a l o n g w i t h B u k h a r a , Rummy, and Sequence, cre-

a t i n g a n a t m o s p h e r e o f

L-R: Jigna, Kilma, (daughters) Virenbhai, Satishbhai, Dillipbhai,Khaden, Ushaben, Natalia, Jashwantbhai, Anupbhai Navinbhai Ameetaben Jayeshbhai Shaileshbhai Jayeshbhai and Hiteshbhai

enjoyment for players of all i n t e r e

M

remarked on the calm and f o c u

bridge sessions despite the impressive scale of participation

Guests were also treated t o o u t s

t

a h o m

c o o k e d M e x i c a n - s t y l e brunch, followed later by a Chinese dinner, all lovingly prepared and coordinated by

f o o d added warmth and a strong community spirit to the day

A

reflecting on his passion for bridge and his commitment to bringing people together The event stood as a fitting

celebration of his enduring legacy

The Navnat Bridge Club looks forward to building on

Stability in the world is an illusion

Rohit

Vadhwana

The wh eel of tim e m oves continuously

Nothing remains co nstant as the univ erse transform s every mo ment How in su ch a transitory situation can anything be expected to be stable? Stability in the world is merely an illusion Th e Earth rotates at a sp eed o f 1670 kmp h at the equ ator, but we do not realise this speed as we are mov ing w ith it as w ell Similar is th e situatio n of the transitory universe, wh ere we ourselves are evolving every m oment Therefore, we can't realise th e reshap ing taking p lace arou nd u s

If we seek stillness in a moving river, it is not possible The water flows, and with it flows the concept of stability Is it possible to drink the same water twice from a river? No Similarly, it is not possible for anyone to live the same moment twice To experience the same emotions twice in life, or meet the same person and live the same experience again and again Because at each moment, people change, their perspectives change, and the environment surrounding us remodels itself However, we cannot notice these minute rearrangements taking place around us constantly

In the 14th shloka of the 2nd Chapter of Bhagwat Geeta, Bhagwan Shri Krishan says,

T ranslation: O son of Kunti, the contact between the senses and the sense objects gives rise to fleeting perceptions of happiness and distress These are non-permanent and come and go like the winter and summer seasons O descendant of Bharat, one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

It clearly explains the non-permanent, constant reconstruction of the universe Even what we experience through our senses is not stable It comes and goes, as Shri Krishna says, like winter and summer In this situation of instability that we endure throughout the life, we must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

On the practical aspect, the concept of seeking stability in life, in career, in a relationship, is desirable but not achievable Nothing is stable and is amenable to change If our mind accepts this as a fact, it doesn't get affected by such rearrangements Therefore, emotional attachment to any situation, person or thing, should be guarded against One should develop an ability to remain stable in an unstable world by accepting the possible and forthcoming changes

R u m i w r i t e s , w h e r e t h e r e i s r u i n , t h e r e i s h o p e

Describing that the remaking doesn't happen only for destroying things, but also for creating them anew There is always a new creation happening in the universe, almost at the same or faster rate as destruction How can one lament the bygone when new things are coming to life? No need to become sad about the ruins, as there is a new hope hidden behind it

Our minds crave certainty and stability because they prefer not to process change It tries to adjust and accept the situation as they exist before us Since it requires tremendous effort, any change is not easily accepted by the mind It tries to negate them Deny them And seeks stability It is a simple law of conservation of energy Why would our mind like to keep working all the time to understand and adjust to the new and evolving situation? That is the reason, even when the change in the world is inevitable, the majority of people fail to notice and adapt to it However, whether we like it or not, change is inevitable, so better we train our minds to accept it and evolve with circumstances Elixir:

Search for stability is a wasteful effort Wisdom is seeking harmony with the transformation taking place in the universe

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Trailblazers to be honoured with blue plaques

E ng l i sh He ri ta g e h as announced the installation of nine new blue p laqu es across London, celebrating ind i v id u als wh o se c on tributions in science, the arts, and social reform have left a lasting m ark

The scheme commemorates people by marking buildings where they lived or worked, offering a tangible link to their achievem

London’s Black and Asian communities in the early 2 0 t h c e n t

Lanka), Chunchie came to London after World War I, where he was deeply troubled by the racism faced by people of colour in the East End

In response, he founded

Institute in Canning Town, a social, religious, and welfare centre that offered

port services at

rampant

Other distinguished figures include Sir Laurence Olivier, the legendary actor

Dudley Clarke,

strategist during the Second World

Craigie; astronomer Cecilia

Gertrude Tuckwell

HE Vikram Doraiswami presenting flower offering at the Gandhi statue

Students from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan performing bhajans

Members of the Indian diaspora, along with HE Vikram Doraiswami, Lady Kishwar Desai and Lord Krish Raval at the Gandhi statue, Tavistock Square

Haider Zameer Choudrey

Kamal Chunchie

India hailed as “mother of democracies”

D es c ri bi n g I nd i a as th e “ mother of all democracies”, the Speaker of the UK Hou se o f C o m m o n s, S i r L i nd s ay

H o yl e, s ai d s o m e o f i ts neighbours should reflect on the true meaning of democracy

Speaking at a Republic Day reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in London, Hoyle said India’s democratic journey marked a remarkable milestone in global history

C a l l i n g t

India’s elections “something

experience of nearly a billion people voting He added that

democratic benchmark

Hoyle, the chief guest at

77th anniversary of India’s

relations, highlighting cooperation in trade, technology, culture, sport and people-topeople ties

Police investigate Bristol Museum heist

A 41-year-ol d man ha s b een

a rrested on suspicion of handl ing st ole n goods f ol lowing t he theft of over 600 artef acts from a museum coll ect ion in Bristol

He was later released u n d e

inquiries continue into the burglary at a building, hous-

e and Commonwealth collection on September 25 Police believe four men broke into the property on Cumberland

R o a d b e t w e e n 1 A M a n d 2 AM

The stolen items include m e d a l s , b a d g e s

,

v e r objects, bronze figurines, and natural history pieces such as g e o

c a l s p e c i m e n s , a l l described as having “significant cultural value ” Bristol City Council released images

of some items, including an i v o r y e l e p h a n t , a B u d d h a statue, a ship lantern, and an Emancipation token Police continue to identify the suspects, all described as white A carved ivory Buddha and a belt buckle from the East India Company uniform

Harrow faith school celebrated for excellence

A v an ti H o u se

S e c on d ar y S c h o o l, a

Hi nd u faith scho ol in H ar ro w , h as b een

r ec o g ni s ed by

E d uc a ti o n S ec ret ary

B ri d g et P h i lli p s on f or d eli v e ri ng exc ep ti o nal o utcom es for d isadv antag ed pupils

T h e s t a t e - f u n d e d school in Stanmore also recently earned top marks in its latest Ofsted inspection, further cementing its reputation for academic excellence The school’s results place it among the best in the country for the progress and attainment of disadvantaged pupils

advantaged pupils at Avanti H o u s e S c h o o l a c h i e v e d a t the end of the 2024/25 aca-

Artist honoured for his unique Indian art

P ar e sh Ka ka diy a, a U Kb as ed ar t i s t , h as be en r ecog nised fo r h is distinct i v e w o r k t h at b r in g s Indian sacr ed and str eetinsp ir ed ar t to new audiences

His paintings introduce many in the UK to visual narratives rooted in Hindu s p i r i t u a l i t y , o f f e r i n g p e rspectives that differ from Western mythological trad i t i o n s K a k a d i y a ’ s a r t blends depictions of Hindu

deities and spiritual themes with e v e r y d a y s c e n e s from Indian life

A s i d e f r o m spiritual themes, his creative range i n c l u d e s v i b r a n t murals and wood

capture dynamic

colour of Indian urban life to his compositions

Kakadiya also excels in portrait u r e , f r o m detailed coloured p

ures to expressive oil self-portraits A

BBC faces diversity challenges

A recent rev iew h as warned the BBC that its approach to d i v ers i ty c an s o m et im es a p p ear “ cl u nk y ” an d “ p reachy ”

C o m m i s s i o n

BBC’s board and conducted by former Bafta chair Anne Morrison and media consul-

t

n t C h r i s B

v a l , t h e report examined how diverse communities are portrayed across BBC content

It highlights that complaints about representation

o f t e n a r i s e w h e n d i v e r s i t y feels “inauthentic” or added

simply to “tick a box ” The r e v i e w n o t e

does not naturally support t h e m

grating discussions of antic

“Unless very skilfully done, there is a danger it will feel overly didactic,” the report warns

The study also explored

colour-blind casting While

appear jarring if characters were originally conceived for white actors, particularly in

Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac Newton in Doctor Who as an example, the report stresses the need to balance authenticity with opportunity

The report urges careful, creative approaches to diver-

while reflecting Britain’s varied communities

In a letter to Principal Simon Arnell and his team, P h i l l i p s o n h i g h l i g h t e d t h e significance of this achievem e n t , “ C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o you and your team on the excellent outcomes the dis-

d e m i c y e a r Y o u r s c h o o l ’ s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement This success reflects the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together

T h a n k y o u f o r e v e r y t h i n g you do to give children the best possible opportunities

to succeed ” The recognition follows an Ofsted inspection in June 2025, which

o r s praised pupils’ love of

a r n i n g , d e

tion, and high achieve-

describing the curriculum as ambitious and engaging

Catering to pupils aged 11–18, the school is part of the Avanti Schools Trust and blends the national curriculum with a strong focus on

ment, and wellbeing Since

and is widely known in the local community for its academic excellence and sup-

ment

Younus Sheikh, Bestway founder, dies aged 79

Youn us Sheik h, a foundi ng d irector of Bes tway Group

a nd a leadi ng fi gure in the

U K w h ol es a l e s ect or , h a s

d ied a ged 79 Sheik h dedicated ove r five d ecad es to b uildi ng Bestw ay in to on e of the UK’s f oremos t cas h & carry and wholes ale operators

At the time of his passing, he was a director of Bestway Group, chairman of Bestway Wholesale, and

Younus Sheikh

Following a board reshuffle in 2004, he became manag-

Wholesale and oversaw

Batley’s plc, expanding the group nationally In 2018, Sheikh became

Wholesale in a non-executive role, providing strategic guidance while remaining

received the Federation of

Outstanding Achievement Award in 2015

Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Paresh Kakadiya

India’s Aviation Manufacturing Takes Off

“Adani aerospace, Embraer set to assemble aircraft in India” AV dated 31 Jan – 6 Feb 2026 shows the vision of Gautam Adani and his team They always try to look into future opportunities and seize them Assembling commercial aircrafts in India is really a great milestone in the aviation industry

More than 1500 aircrafts orders from Indian carriers will give a robust start There are many small and medium sized countries which are interested in quality products at a reasonable price from a dependable partner India is one of the countries which can easily fulfil ensuing demand from local as well as from international customers This will indirectly help India in reducing over dependency on so called superpowers

India has all 3Ms – Manpower, Material and Machinery to make sure that the quality products are made available to the world from a politically stable country which can be trusted for a long-term investment as well as for getting required service and spare parts

Ancillary industries will also get a boost which will generate more employment in the region and in nearby areas

Vision of the prime minister Mr Narendra Modi in terms of providing required infrastructure and hard work of Gautambhai and his team in searching for the right opportunity for future growth will definitely give positive results in the near future

Hitesh Hing u America’s hypocrisy:

From Minneapolis streets to Iranian cities Washington routinely condemns Iran as a “regime” that crushes dissent, kills protesters and rules through fear Yet in January, the United States applied a strikingly similar logic on the streets of Minneapolis During federal immigration enforcement operations linked to protests, U S citizens, Renée Nicole Good, a mother and poet and Alex Pretti, an intensive-care nurse were shot dead by federal agents Even Native American citizens were detained and pressured during raids ostensibly aimed at undocumented migrants!! These were civilians, not combatants, yet they were handled as threats to be neutralised rather than citizens to be protected

The justification followed a familiar script Officials invoked self-defence and warned of an “imminent attack”, the elastic phrase governments reach for to excuse lethal force after the fact These claims were made before any i n d e p

President J D Vance then asserted that the agents involved enjoyed “absolute immunity” This was not a legal judgement but a political signal that federal agents operate beyond accountability It is the same sequence Washington attributes to authoritarian systems abroad, violence first, narrative control second The difference is not principle, but presentation

None of this absolves Iran Tehran’s security forces have repeatedly killed protesters, suppressed dissent and acted with impunity and those abuses deserve condemnation The point, however, is that Washington’s conduct increasingly mirrors what it denounces When Iranian forces kill civilians or sweep up citizens during security operations, it is labelled repression, when American agents do so, it is called enforcement Human rights are not upheld universally, they are selectively applied, invoked against adversaries and ignored at home

This hypocrisy is sharpened by Washington’s posture towards Iran itself President Donald Trump announced that a “massive armada”, led by the USS "Abraham Lincoln", was moving towards Iranian waters to coerce Tehran into a nuclear deal, warning that failure could invite harsher action Diplomacy is offered with one hand while military threat is brandished with the other A state that excuses unaccountable violence at home, yet threatens it abroad in the name of moral authority, invites an unavoidable question Are the standards it demands of others ever meant to restrain itself?

Dr Narsinhbhai M ag anlal Patel

Royal Mail criticised over Christmas post failures

Royal M ail has faced severe c ri t ic i sm af ter res ea rc h rev ealed it failed to deliv er

C hristmas po st on time to an estimated 16 million peop le in 2025

C i t i z e n s A d v i c e p u blished findings showing that d e l i v e r y d e l a

year, marking the worst fes-

Storm Chandra batters Britain and Ireland

Bri ta i n an d I re la nd f ac ed severe disru ption as Sto rm Chand ra u nleashed torrential rain, snow, and 80 mph wind s Named by the Met Office, th e storm p rom pted amber w arnings for so uthwest England and No rthern Ir ela nd I n D ev o n a nd Somerset, a major incid ent was declared after the River Otter reached record levels, flood ing ov er 50 p roperties and trapp ing m oto rists in su bm erged vehicles

In Northern Ireland, the s

grappled with blizzards, with 20cm of snow closing the A66 and other trans-Pennine routes

Behind the name

led by the Met Office in

KNMI in the Netherlands

sands and forced

Calls for King Charles to formally apologise for slavery

Campaigners, MPs, and h isto rians are intensifyi ng calls fo r King Ch arles III to issue a f o rm al ap

transatlantic slave trade

This surge follows the

Silence’, a book providing forensic evidence that the Crown profited from and protected human trafficking for nearly three centuries Research reveals that by 1807, the British Crown was the world’s largest purchaser of enslaved people B e l l R i b e i r o - A d d y M P argues that previous expressions of "personal sorrow" are insufficient for an institution that oversaw crimes against humanity

Antigua and Barbuda as the critical moment for a form a l s t a t e a p o l o g y a n d a m o v e t o w a r

Quarter of Croydon councillors to step down

Vot er s in Cr oydon will face a sign ifican t shift in local r epresen ta tion a s n

will

of

seek

council-

seats across the council's 28 wards are certain to see new faces, with long-serving fig-

parties retiring from public

includes several prominent veterans

Perry, who was elected in 2022 to navigate Croydon through its historic debt crisis Since his election, the council has been under the

bankruptcy in 2020

Sacked hero bus driver seeks apology

A bus driv er d ismissed

Approximately 5 7 million of those affected missed vital c

fines, and legal documents

The watchdog’s report h i g h l i g h t s a p e r s i s t e n t slump under the new ownership of Czech billionaire

D a n i

D e s p i t e the company returning to a £12 million profit last year, it has consistently missed regulatory targets

driving the 206 bus between Wembley and Maida Vale in north-west London in June

knocked unconscious

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for Hehir’s reinstate-

ment, although his dismissal was upheld by a tribunal in N

amends financially Both men were arrested, but Hehir was later released w

includes public suggestions as well as names that recognise figures of cultural and scientific importance Many believe the choice is a nod to Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, the IndianAmerican astrophysicist and Nobel Prize winner known

Chandrasekhar Limit, which

“Chandra” means the Moon in Sanskrit

Rachel Reeves grants pubs business rates relief

wh ile excluding restaurants and ho tels fro m the additio nal aid

Treasury Minister Dan T

that every pub and grassr o o t s m u s i c v e n u e w i l l receive a 15 per cent disc o u n t o n t h e i r b u s

rates bills starting in April 2026 This relief, aimed at mitigating a steep rise in property tax following the r

discounts,

be

rants and cafes at risk of

Commonhold Reform Bill mandates

Pennycook’s bill bans new

imple-

d until late 2028 E x p e r t s w a r n t h i s "glacial pace" leaves five million leaseholders, especially in London, stuck in a financial trap, unable to sell or remortgage For many, the long-awaited relief remains a distant prospect, keeping t h e

d rent system on life support

40-year transition before rents hit "peppercorn" levels, a timeline critics say preserves a "feudal" system While Housing M i n

invests

training to adul

aiming to ups kill 10 million p eop le by 2030 A n n

T e c h n

y L i z Kendall, the initiative seeks to bridge a critical skills gap, as recent data suggests only 21% of the UK workforce currently feels confident using AI The programme is delivered through a revamped AI Skills Hub, developed in partnership with industry giants including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and the NHS T

d

y S e c r e t

King Charles III

Mark Hehir

UK junk food laws are failing kids, warns young activist

Anusha Singh

The UK go vernment recently celebrated wh at it called a “world -lead ing ” ban o n junk food ad vertising aimed at child ren

From this year, adverts showing products high in fat, sugar, and salt are banned on TV before 9pm and online at all times, a measure hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against childhood obesity After all, nearly 40% of UK children are overweight or

advertise the chocolate itself, they can freely promote the cartoon frog, making it an indirect,

people growing up in food deserts die on average 10 years younger from foodrelated ill health,” he recalls “At 13, I thought: I’ve done nothing wrong, yet something completely out of my control, food, could shorten my life ”

Seeing unhealthy brands dominate high streets and displace local food cultures inspired Sharma to act “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it They’re literally everywhere and they’re incredibly effective at

obese by the time they leave primary school, and diet-related illnesses are projected to shorten the lives of a third of today’s youngsters

But for 20-year-old British-Indian activ ist Dev Sharm a, the victory feels hollow The campaigner, who began lobbying the government at age 14, warns that corporate loopholes have gutted the law, allowing global food giants like McDonald’s and Domino’s to continue targeting children

Looph oles Underm ine the Law

While the new law is meant to curb children’s exposure to junk food, a “brand exemption” inserted after intense lobbying from the food industry allows companies to advertise logos, jingles, mascots, and other brand imagery without showing the actual food

“The biggest loophole now is the brand exemption,” Sharma explains “This allows companies like McDonald’s to advertise the golden arches and Domino’s to advertise the pizza box, even though they are not allowed to advertise the food itself In effect, they cannot show a pizza, but they can show everything that clearly represents it ”

Other examples include the popular chocolate Freddo While companies cannot

misleading marketing tool

Physical advertising also remains largely untouched, with billboards outside schools and near youth clubs continuing to expose children to unhealthy products

The real imp act on children

Sharma has seen the impact firsthand

“From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, junk food is part of my cultural wallpaper,” he says “When I walk down the high street or into a supermarket, I’m surrounded by brands spending billions to capture my attention ”

The stakes are high: about a third of UK children are expected to have their lives cut short by food-related ill health, and in some areas, young people are already dying from diet-related conditions

“The argument that young people simply ‘love’ junk food ignores the reality that these preferences are manufactured,” Sharma adds “If this environment was created, it can also be changed ”

Sharma’s activism was sparked by personal experience Growing up in Leicester, he lived in a food desert, areas with limited access to healthy, nutritious food, dominated by junk food outlets

“I realized that young

Rise of dark kitchens raises public health concerns

One in seven fo od businesses o perating on major delivery platform s su ch as Deliveroo and Just Eat is now a “d ark kitch en ” , accord ing to a new university stud y com missioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research

The research found that 15% of all online food retailers in England operate as delivery-only kitchens, highlighting the scale of a largely hidden takeaway sector Often referred to as “cloud”, “ghost” or “virtual” kitchens, dark kitchens have no customer-facing premises and exist solely to fulfil online orders

difficulties for regulators, local authorities, food safety officers, industry bodies and consumers Unlike traditional takeaways, which can be regulated through local planning policy, dark kitchens are far less visible

Despite their rapid growth, the sector has until now lacked a clear and consistent definition, creating

marketing to us, ” he says Driving chang e thro ugh “ youthquake”

Sharma believes the solution lies in raising awareness and mobilizing young people He calls this potential movement a “youthquake”, a societal shift where young people recognize injustice and demand change

“From climate change to food, change happens when young people see that the system is rigged against them and start calling it out Policy then begins to shift,” he says Movements like food farmer initiatives in India and campaigns in Britain show that youth engagement can drive meaningful change, pressuring governments to close loopholes and hold corporations accountable

Despite the government’s celebration of new restrictions, Sharma warns that the battle is far from over Closing loopholes and ensuring children are truly protected from junk food marketing requires continued vigilance, policy reform, and the collective voice of young people demanding accountability from both government and corporations

“If we genuinely care about children’s health, we must tackle a crisis that is putting lives at risk The environment that created these preferences can be changed,” Sharma insists

Dr Lucie Nield, co-lead investigator at the University of Sheffield, said greater transparency was needed “Without clearer oversight, dark kitchens risk falling through the gaps,

with potential consequences for public health, particularly by encouraging increased use of online takeaways and greater consumption of high fat, salt or sugar foods”, she said Planning measures around schools, designed to limit the concentration of takeaways and support healthier food environments, do not apply to dark kitchens and may be undermined by their growth

Government backs £3m drive for healthier diets

U K Research and Innov ation’s Biotech nology and Biolog ical S ciences Research Cou ncil ( BBSRC), together w ith the Departm ent for Environm ent, Food and Rural A ffairs (Defra), has announced a new £ 3 million Diet and Health

C ollaborative Research and Develop ment p rog ramm e aimed at driving food innov ation and imp rov ing health outcom es across the U K

The jointly designed and funded programme will

bring together academia and industry to translate world-class bioscience into practical applications It will support the development of novel food products and processing technologies that deliver healthier, more sustainable and high-quality food for consumers

Aligned with Defra’s policy priorities and the Good Food Cycle, the initiative seeks to strengthen sustainability, resilience and economic growth across the food system The funding builds

on UKRI’s previous investments in the area, including the £15 million Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club, which has already connected partners across the food innovation ecosystem Funded projects will focus on improving nutritional quality, advancing understanding of how food processing and product composition affect health, and promoting circular approaches to reduce food waste and loss

Dev Sharma

Michelin restaurant boss accused of spiking woman’s drink

exclusive private members' club

Mayfair Staff

bers intervened

ting Nath using a straw to transfer liquid from a small b

Benares restaurant, admit-

ted to spiking the drink but claimed he only intended to relax the woman The prosecution argued that GBL is used specifically to reduce

memory, noting that Nath had previously messaged

tion over failing to seduce her

While the businessman suggested the liquid belonged to his cleaner, prosecutors noted GBL is not a standard

trial continues as the court examines Nath s intent during the alleged attack

Slough delivery driver jailed for public exposure

S ethupath i Perisam y, a 4 7year-old foo d deliv ery d riv er from Clifton Road , Slo ugh, w as sentenced to six month s in p rison at Reading Crown C ourt

T h e c o u r t f o u n d h i m guilty of five counts of indecent exposure following a s

n g i n c

dents committed while he w a s o n d u t y d e l i v e r i n g meals to local residents

T

d o v e

t w o - m o n t h p

i o d w h e r e P e r i s a m y e x p l o i t e d his position as a courier to target members of the publ i c a t v a r i o

d d r e s s e s across Maidenhead, Slough,

and Windsor Following a

Police arrested him on May 16, 2025, and he was formally charged the following day

During the trial, the jury heard how Perisamy intentionally exposed himself to

their doorsteps

In addition to his custod i a

d g e made Perisamy subject to a

Order (SHPO) for 10 years

Detective Constable Ashley Jones of Berkshire East CID praised the victims for coming forward, noting that the

Sethupathi Perisamy

thorough investigation has

the streets

UK care home investment hits record £10.25bn

in 2025

Starmer invites President Xi to UK for G20

Pr im e M i n i st e r K e ir

St a r m e r ’ s v i si t t o C hi n a mark ed the st ronge st in dica tion y et of a diploma tic thaw afte r y ea rs of stra ine d relat ion s The first UK prime ministerial visit since 2018, the trip allowed Starmer to prom o t e B r i t i s h s t r e n

f i n a n c e , h e a l t h c a r e , c l e a n energy and manufacturing, while President Xi Jinping sought to project China as a stable partner amid global

trade uncertainty driven by US policies

Despite branding China a

, P r i m

M i n i s t e r K e i r S t a r m e r i s pursuing a "thaw" in relat i o n s t o b o o s t e c o n o m i c growth To signal this reset, the UK recently approved a new Chinese mega-embassy i n L o n d o n , l e a d i n g t o a

h i g h - p r o f i l e r e c e p t i o n f o r Starmer in Beijing featuring a military march-past and three hours of talks with President Xi

Before meeting Premier Li Qiang, Sir Keir Starmer was honoured with a ceremonial welcome at Beijing's Great Hall of the People

for Chinese investment in British services, finance and green technology Chinese state media hailed the trip as a step toward “real achievem

despite lingering regulatory concerns

For Sir Keir, the highstakes visit reflects efforts to spur growth by strengthening ties with the world’s second-largest economy while balancing relations with the US He described talks with President Xi Jinping as “ very warm, ” saying agreements on visas and whisky tariffs

I nvestment in the UK care home s ec tor soared to an un prec ede nted £10 2 5 b ill i on i n 2 0 2 5 , m or e th a n t r i pl e th e £3 1 b i l li o n recorded in 2024, driven by

mpleted in the final quarter

The surge was largely

accounted for around £6 4 billion of deal value Data

dominated activity, making up nearly 89

investment landscape Despite this record year,

tions, including significant purchases by Welltower of Barchester Healthcare and H C

analysts expect deal activity to moderate in 2026, with mid-market portfolios and ongoing demand for wellperforming care assets sustaining interest

Cost pressures such as rising wages and national insurance contributions are

tors

While the trip secured minor wins like whisky tariff cuts, the focus was on ten l o n g - t e r m a g r e e m e n t s i n t e n d e d t o o p e n m a r k e t

a c c e s s f o r B r i t i s h f i r m s

Though critics question the t a n g i b l e r e s u l t s , N o 1 0 views the visit as the start of a "more sophisticated" relat i o n s h i p A s S c i e n c e Secretary Peter Kyle noted, this diplomatic outreach is only the beginning

Mayor accused of helping conceal rape evidence

A former town mayor is accused of help ing her son co nceal ev idence

wh en police arriv ed at her ho me to arrest h im on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old g irl, a cou rt has heard

Naheed Ejaz, 61, who had recently completed a one-year term as mayor of Bracknell Forest in Berkshire, is alleged to have delayed police officers and spoken to her son, Diwan Khan, in Urdu to help him hide a mobile phone containing a video of the alleged attack Ejaz, a Labour councillor at the time, denies

Naheed Ejaz and

perverting the course of justice Prosecutors told Winchester Crown Court that officers were kept waiting for several minutes while Khan, 41, concealed the phone Khan,

who acted as his mother’s mayoral consort, is accused of giving the teenage girl vodka laced with MDMA before raping her after she lost consciousness The girl said she later woke up naked and was shown a video of the assault, which allegedly depicted her being choked and slapped Khan is also accused of threatening the girl to prevent her from reporting the incident He denies rape but has admitted hiding a mobile phone from police Ejaz also denies wrongdoing

While no free trade deal w a s s t r u c k , t h e v i s i t s i gnalled a cautious reset, with a g r e e m e n t s o n v i s a s , s e rv i c e s , h e a l t h c a r e , g r e e n technology, finance and the resumption of bilateral dialogue The biggest commerc i a l o u t c o m e w a s AstraZeneca’s commitment to invest $15 billion (£11 bill i o n ) i n C h i n a o v e r f o u r years, its largest investment there, to expand research and drug manufacturing

U K - b a s e d O c t o p u s Energy will also enter China for the first time through a p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h P C G Power to build a digital electricity trading platform, tapp i n g i n t o C h i n a ’ s r a p i d l y growing clean-energy market

China’s decision to halve t a r i f f s o n S c o t c h w h i s k y , which the UK says could add £250 million to the economy over five years, was another key win Calling whisky “ a jewel in Scotland’s crown, ” S i r K e i r S t a r m e r s a i d t h e move underscored the benefits of pragmatic diplomacy, with China a fast-growing market for Britain’s £5-billion-a-year whisky exports

T h e v i s i t a l s o s e c u r e d visa-free travel for British citizens to China for up to 30 days and cooperation on tackling migrant-smuggling n e t w o r k s F o r B e i j i n g , renewed ties with a major E u r o p e a n e c o n o m y a n d close US ally reinforce its message of being a reliable partner despite trade tensions with Washington The economic reset pres e r v e s

s f o r C h i n e s e e x p o r t s s u c h a s electric vehicles, solar panels and clean-energy equipment, while opening doors

l During his meeting with President Xi, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that China has lifted the 2021

originally

response to parliamentary criticism regarding human rights and the

people

cussion" was key to resolving the dispute, noting that all UK parliamentarians are now free to travel to China Looking ahead, the Prime M

d President Xi to visit the UK in 2027, when Britain is set to host the G20 summit The sanctioned group, including Conservatives Sir I

d Tom Tugendhat, alongside Baroness Kennedy and Lord A

move In a joint statement, they rejected being used as bargaining chips, stating they would rather remain sanctioned than see justice for the Uyghur people compromised for their personal convenience While Keir Starmer confirmed that "parliamentarians" are now free to travel to

regarding former MP Tim Loughton and several sanc-

Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets China’s

Vikas Nath

Diwan Khan

Endometriosis campaigner calls for workplace protections after tribunal win

A w o m a n w i th e nd o m e tri o s i s who w as unfairly dismissed by a m ulti nati ona l co ns ultan cy f irm says her case could h elp end the p rac ti c e o f fi r in g e m p lo y ee s deem ed “unpromotable” by their managers

Sanju Pal, a former manager at Accenture’s London office, is calling for legal reform to give w o m e n d i a g n o s e d w i t h endometriosis specific workplace protections and a statutory right to reasonable adjustments She also supports calls for up to three days of paid menstrual leave a month for women with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis, a proposal backed by an online petition with more than 100,000 signatures

P a l w a s d i s m i s s e d i n 2 0 1 9 , aged 36, after Accenture concluded that she was underperforming because she was not ready for promotion within the required timeframe At the time, she was suffering from endometriosis, a chronic and painful condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body

A n e m p l o y m e n t a p p

bunal has now ruled in her favour, casting doubt on the legality of “ up or out” policies used by many professional services firms, under w h i c h e m p l o y e e s c

d

missed if they are not considered

Accenture for a decade, originally won a claim for unfair dismissal in 2022 after a tribunal found that the firm had committed procedu-

loss of earnings, after the tribunal c

would have occurred even if

fair process had been followed Her claim of disability discrimination was also rejected

t

That ruling has been over-

judge found that the original tribunal had made errors of law that were “fundamental to the determinations” reached, and ordered that Pal’s compensation and disc

The appeal judge also criticised the tribunal for making “highly adverse comments” about Pal’s credibility and for “totally disregarding” her impact statement

Both tribunals heard that Pal

was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2018 and later underwent

from her ovaries Accenture dis-

return to work

ruled that Pal failed to prove her condition had a substantial and long-term impact on her daily

women experience mild or no symptoms Following the appeal

prime minister’s Points of Light award for voluntary work in 2020, said the judgment could “dismantle” what she described as the “unfair employment procedures of the corporate world”

Pal has crowdfunded her legal

£30,000 to cover costs She said the six-year “David and Goliath battle for justice” had taken a “huge toll” on her physical and mental health

Her solicitor, Gerard Airey of Kilgannon & Partners, said it was “ wrong ” for someone to be dismissed for not being ready for a promotion, or for a role they did not want He argued that employment law permits dismissal for capability only where it relates to the job the employee currently holds, not their perceived ability to perform a more senior role

Why mental health is breaking down for women in their 50s

A n epid em ic of silence is taking h old am ong British wom en in their fifties as th ey contend with a perfect storm of hormonal chang e and m ounting fam ily pressures

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that suicide rates peak among women aged 45 to 49, followed by those aged 55 to 59 While men continue to have higher suicide rates overall, rates among women have risen by a r o u n d a t h i r d o v e r t h e p a s t decade

T h e B r i t i s h A s s o c i a t i o n f o r

C o u n s e l l i n g a n d P s y c h o t h e r a p y ( B A C P ) h a s w a r n e d t h a t m a n y middle-aged women are suffering quietly, describing an “epidemic of silence” driven by a tendency to put others first and maintain a stoic “stiff upper lip”

A s u r v e y o f 2 , 0 0 0 w o m e n found that two thirds had struggled with their mental health since turning 50, while almost nine in ten admitted to hiding those difficulties In contrast to Gen Z and m i l l e n n i a l w o m e n , w h o a r e f a r more open about mental health

a n d t h e r a p y , o l d e r w o m e n a r e often more reluctant to seek help

Therapists say this reluctance i s d e e p l y r o o t e d M a n y w o m e n over 50 grew up “socialised to be the good girl”, expected to smooth over household tensions and prioritise others’ needs Men, by comparison, are often better at comp a r t m e n t a l i s i n g , h a v i n g b e e n taught that it is acceptable to put themselves first and pursue fulfilment outside the home

Julia Samuel, a leading UK psychotherapist and former vice-president of the BACP, said midlife is often a point where multiple pressures collide

“For many women, menopause intersects with caring for ageing parents, supporting adult children, navigating career peaks or transitions, and sometimes facing relationship breakdown or loss,” she said “They find themselves in the ‘sandwich generation’, caring for

n g profound change themselves

“Yet so many feel they should cope in silence, as though struggling means failing Therapy isn’t about weakness, it’s a practical tool a n d a n

Seeking support takes courage ”

with a registered therapist ensures professional standards and ethical

considering therapy to consult the BACP’s therapist directory to find the right support

quiet endurance, the BACP has launched its ‘No More Stiff Upper L

designed to spark conversations and encourage women to seek help rather than suffer in silence

AI and digital tech fuel rising abuse of women

D o m e st ic a bu s e ch a ri ty Re fu g e issued a stark warning revealing t h at ab us e rs are i nc re as i ng l y w eaponising AI and sm art d ev ices to track and control women

Data from the final quarter of 2 0 2 5 s h

n tech-facilitated abuse, with a 62% increase in complex cases totaling 829 women Referrals for victims under 30 also rose by 24% as perpetrators exploit smart ecosystems

The charity highlighted how everyday items, including smartwatches, Oura rings, and Fitbits

now allow abusers to impersonate officials or manipulate videos to discredit victims Emma Pickering, head of Refuge’s tech-abuse team, criticised the industry for treating safety as an afterthought Survivor recounted how her

Surge

in early-onset cancers affects British women

New OEC D research rev eal s a s t ag g e ri ng 16% surge in cancer rate s am o ng B ri ti sh w o m en un d er 50 si n ce 2 0 0 0 , w h i le rates for men in the

A

OEC D report, the rise is d riv en primarily by bre

and th yroid cancers

Exp erts sug gest modern li fe style fac to rs, including the use of su n be d s a nd d i et s h ig h i n u l tra -p r ocessed food s, are fuelin g th i s ea rly

epidemic

Ashley Dalton, who is

National Cancer Plan

The strategy includes a world-first genetic register of 120 cancersusceptibility genes to i d e n t i f y h i g h - r i s k individuals, alongside a £10 million fund to cover travel costs for c

specialist treatment

The plan aims to tackle a postcode lot-

nosis Currently, only 7 0 2 % o f p a t i e n t s start treatment within the 62-day target, well below the 85% standard To combat r i s

mandatory ID checks for sunbeds to curb the social media-driven perma-tan trend By leveraging AI and r o b o

e N H S hopes to reverse the trend and catch more cancers at stage one or two

Research finds mothers at breaking point

A new research report h as fo u n d th a t aro u n d s e v en i n 1 0 m o th e rs i n th e U K fe el m ent al ly o v erlo ad ed , w i th al m os t half saying they hav e exp e ri en ce d m e nta l health problems such as anxiety or d epressio n T h e f i n d i n g s c o m e f r o m a p a n -

E u r o p e a n s u r v e y b y the campaign group

M a k e M o t h e r s

Matter, which asked around 800 mothers in each of 12 countries

a b o u t t h e i r e x p e r iences of motherhood and its psychological i m p a c t I n t h e U K , 71% of mothers said they felt overloaded, s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n the European average of 67% Nearly 47% of UK respondents reported mental health issues, i n c l u d i n g b u r n o u t , a n x i e t y a n d d e p r e ssion, compared with about 50% across the region The research a l s o f o u n d t h a t around 31% of British

Disability rig hts camp ai g ne rs a nd ac ad em i c s h av e u rg ed Ho m e S ec re tar y Shabana M ahm ood to rec o ns i d er p l an s to scrap the recording o f non-crim e hate incid en ts ( N C H Is ) i n Eng land and Wales

T h e g o v e r n m e n t confirmed this week

location was tracked via cloudlinked wearable tech even after

often fail to intervene, citing a lack of physical harm Refuge is now urging the UK government and Ofcom to strengthen the Online Safety Act, demanding that tech developers be held legally accountable for failing to implement safety by design in consumer electronics

t h a t t h e c a t e g o r y , which tracks hostility that falls below the c r i m i n a l t h r e s h o l d , will be reformed to s t o p p o l i c e p o l i c i n g perfectly legal tweets H o w e v e r , e x p e r t s warn this policy shift could be a disaster for v u l n e r a b l e g r o u

mothers felt that having children had negatively affected their c a r e e r s , a b o v e t h e European average of 27%

The UK stood out i n o t h e r w a y s t o o : most mothers reported that they still carry o u t t h e m a j o r i t y o f household and careg i v i n g r e s p o n s i b i l ities, and the country

r a n k e d a m o n g t h e w o r s t f o r m o t h e rhood disadvantaging women ’ s professional lives

E x p e r t s s a y t h e figures point to ongoing gaps in support f o r m o t h e r s , w i t h e c o n o m i c p r e s s u r e s , w o r k - l i f e i m b a l a n c e

and limited childcare contributing to stress and strain Calls have been made for better mental health screening by GPs and NHS m a t e r n i t y s e r v i c e s , i m p r o v e d a c c e s s t o l o c a l s u p p o

more consistent post-

maternal mental illhealth early

The report highl i g h t s l o n g -

n d wellbeing in the UK, suggesting that without stronger support s

p

e ssures may continue to build

Shabana Mahmood

Sanju Pal

Epstein links send shockwaves through Britain and the world

The release of a defi nitive three-million-page c ache by the US D epartment of Justice has sent shockwaves through the British establishment

Comprising 180,000 images and 2,000 videos , the files provi de a harrowi ng insight into the systematic abuse of underage gi rls on Little Sai nt J ames, J effrey Epstein’s private Cari bbean island

For the UK, however, the "paedophile island" revelations have shifted from distant American scandal to a domestic crisis, exposing the alarming depth of Epstein’s reach into the heart of the British government and the Royal Family

The fall of the ‘ Princ e of Darkness’

In a stunning political development, Lord Peter Mandelson has resigned from the House of Lords

The move follows a series of leaked emails linking him to the convicted sex offender, including messages that suggest the sharing of confidential UK government information

The resignation was precipitated by an intervention from Prime Minister Keir Starmer

The PM reportedly passed a dossier to the police after it emerged that Mandelson, while serving as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown, had forwarded government briefings to Epstein

These documents allegedly included sensitive material regarding the global financial crisis, potential £20bn government asset sales, and early details of a €500bn European bailout

Starmer expressed his "appall" at the disclosures, ordering legislation to strip Mandelson of his peerage as a matter of urgency The Metropolitan Police is now reviewing the material to determine if a full criminal investigation is warranted

Further damaging the reputation of the man once known as the "Prince of Darkness," the US disclosures suggest Epstein paid $75,000 into accounts linked to Mandelson and sent £10,000 to his partner in 2009 This follows Mandelson’s removal as the UK’s ambassador to Washington in September, after a "birthday book" for Epstein surfaced in which

Mandelson described the financier as his "best pal " A royal crisis

The fallout for the Royal Family has intensified as new leaks contradict previous public statements Despite Andrew MountbattenWindsor’s 2011 insistence to the BBC that he had severed ties with Epstein,

surfaced emails from that same year suggest the pair remained in close contact, with Andrew allegedly telling the financier they were "in this together ”

The latest trove includes three undated photographs showing the

former prince leaning over a redacted female figure While these images lack definitive context, they have reignited the fury surrounding the 2001 photograph of Andrew with Ghislaine Maxwell and Virginia Giuffre Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, alleged in her posthumous memoir that Andrew abused her when she was 17, claiming he viewed such exploitation as his "birthright ”

While Andrew continues to deny the allegations, the civil settlement he paid to Giuffre in 2022 remains a

permanent stain on his reputation Political pressure is mounting for Andrew to cooperate with the House Oversight Committee, with Keir Starmer urging a "victimcentred" approach Presence without proof

Being named in Jeffrey Epstein’s files does not imply criminal involvement Often, inclusion reflects Epstein’s obsession with connecting to influential figures rather than shared wrongdoing

The new records reveal his efforts to link the Indian elite with the West Anil Ambani, Reliance Group chairman, appears in emails discussing US-India relations and seeking Epstein’s help to access Donald Trump’s circle ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2017 Washington visit Similarly, former diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri, who joined the BJP in 2014, features in exchanges about investment opportunities; he has said his meetings with Epstein were strictly business-focused

Other notable names include filmmaker Mira Nair and wellness guru Deepak Chopra Nair is listed for attending a 2009 after-party at Ghislaine Maxwell’s townhouse, while Epstein sent Chopra a news link in 2016 with no recorded response Analysts note that Epstein often engaged in “unidirectional” outreach, sending unsolicited messages to maintain the appearance of influence, with little indication of deeper involvement W ho was Jeffrey Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was a financier whose career began at the Dalton School before he moved into the high-stakes world of Bear Stearns He eventually managed the fortunes of ultra-highnet-worth individuals, most notably Leslie Wexner

However, this financial prestige masked a predator After a lenient 2008 plea deal in Florida, Epstein was re-arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving girls as young as 14 His death by suicide in a New York cell that August ended the criminal case against him but began a years-long effort to unmask the powerful enablers who inhabited his world

Printing firm boss jailed for Covid fraud

A L on d o n p ri n ti n g f i r m boss has been c onvicted for f r a ud u

l y o b t a i n i n

a sec ond Bounce Back Loa n, d e s p i te b us i n e s

s b e i n g enti tled to on ly one under the govern ment’s Covi d-19 sc heme P

41, applied for two £50,000

within five days in 2020 He

falsely declared on the second application that it was his only loan Jobanputra was sentenced at the Old

months, banned from acting as a company director for three years, and fined £5,000 He has repaid £15,371 of the second loan, with the

2002 Genesis Web Limited, which printed personalised items, went into liquidation in October 2021 and

Sainsbury’s apologises for facial recognition mix-up

Sainsbury’s h as issued a for-

The incident occurred at the supermarket’s Elephant

London Rajah, a tech worker, was surrounded by two

guard while shopping with a basket,

community

Sainsbury s recently expanded to five London stores following a seismic trial that reportedly cut theft by 46% Despite Facewatch claiming a 99 98% accuracy rate, civil liberties group Big Brother Watch has condemned the "Orwellian" tech for turning shoppers into suspects

Sainsbury's blamed the error on human error rather t h a n t h e A I , s t a t i n g s t a f f approached the wrong person after an alert was triggered

Investigation exposes illegal sale of fake UK jobs

A hidd en camera inv esti gat i o n e x p os e d h

u n s cru pu lou s v i s a a g en t s are s ellin g fraudulen t job s po n so rs hi p s to mi g ra nt s a t t e mp t

Britis h i mmigra tion la ws Operating from an east L o n d o n r e s t a u r a n t , a n undercover sting filmed an agent detailing a scheme to dupe the Home Office by creating paper-only roles at a small event-management firm These fraudul

a p p e a r i n g a s l e g i t i m a t e employees, despite never a c t u a l l y p e r f o r m i n g t h e work T h e H o m e O f f i c e r e p o r t e d t h a t s i n c e t h e tightening of visa rules in April 2024, which increased t h e m i n i m u m s a l a r y threshold to £38,700, there has been a significant rise in visa mills selling sponsorships for fees exceeding £20,000 In response to the 27 January 2026 findings,

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an i m m e d i a t e t a s k f o r c e t o a u d i t s m a l l f i r m s w i t h sponsorship licences Data s u g g e s t s t h a t w h i l e o v e r 100,000 work visas were issued last year, a growing percentage of these are suspected to be linked to shell c o m p a n i e s T h e g o v e r nment has vowed to revoke the licences of any businesses found participating i n t h i s b l a c k m a r k e t t o ensure the integrity of the UK’s points-based system

Sledgehammer thugs target Richmond jewellers in daylight

Masked robbers armed with s l e dg eh a mm e r s t ar g et e d Gregory & Co jewellers in R i c h mo n d, w e s t L on d on , d ur i n g a b r az e n da y l i gh t raid

At 10:34 am, two hooded men smashed the storef r o n t o n P a v e d C o u r t , a pedestrianised lane famous as the filming location for Ted Lasso before scooping

valuables into a blue bag

D e s p i t e s t a f f a t t e m p t s t

intervene, the suspects

toward Richmond Green T

Police are treating the incident as aggravated burglary This attack follows a similar smash-and-grab at Sultan

Bush where

Labour party picks candidate in bid to halt reform surging

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Jeffrey Epstein

Peter Mandelson

Warren Rajah

Angeliki Stogia

Cambridge revives historic India ties with new centre, scholarships and sport

The Unive rs ity of C ambri dge has a nnounced a wideran ging s et of new i nitia ti ves a cross re search, tec hnology , educ ation, philan thropy a nd sport

requirements where appropriate Alongside this, Cambridge is exploring new philanthropic opportunities to fund scholarships for highly

Vision 2035 and would help bring the two countries’ world-class education and research sectors even closer together

The delegation

durin g a high- level visi t to I ndia, ren ewing a nd s trengthenin g a relati on ship that s pa ns m ore than 150 ye ars

Leading the senior delegation, Vi ceC hancellor Profess or Deb orah Pren tice outlined measures aimed at deepening academic partnerships, expanding access for Indian students, and encouraging philanthropic engagement, alongside a significant policy change to undergraduate admissions

Central to the announcement was the launch of the Ca mbridge–I ndia Centre f or A dvanced Studi es ( CAS), a new initiative focused on innovation, research and learning The Centre will act as a hub for the University’s engagement in India, creating a bridge between Cambridge’s global leadership in science and technology and India’s rapidly expanding knowledge economy It is intended to serve as a catalyst for intellectual exchange, policy influence and wider societal impact

During her visit, Professor Prentice also paid tribute to Sir Mark Tully, the renowned BBC correspondent and Trinity Hall alumnus, following his death at the age of 90 Sir Mark, who spent much of his life in India, was widely respected for his decadeslong reporting and commentary on the country

The University also announced an expansion of undergraduate entry pathways for students educated in India The CBSE Class XII qualification will now be accepted for some undergraduate courses, subject to additional

To support fundraising and research collaboration, Cambridge has established a Section 8 company in India, the Camb ridge In dia R esearc h Foundati on This will allow members of the public, alumni and supporters in India to contribute towards bursaries, fees and other costs for Indian students studying at Cambridge, as well as to support joint research initiatives

Building on historic sporting ties, Cambridge University’s Men’s Cricket Team will tour India in March 2026 for preseason matches, marking the first such visit in 15 years Plans are also under way for the Women’s team to tour India next year Cricket links between Cambridge and India date back to the late 19th century, when legendary players Ranjitsinhji and his nephew Duleepsinghji studied at Trinity College, both earning Cambridge Blues before achieving international acclaim Professor Prentice said, “I am delighted to build on the strong and deep links between the University of Cambridge and India The Cambridge–India CAS is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with outstanding researchers and innovators, and to strengthen ties with one of the world’s fastestgrowing knowledge economies Our cricketers, too, are looking forward to testing their skills against their Indian counterparts ”

The Britis h High Commi ssi on er to Indi a, Lindy Cameron, welcomed the announcements, saying the initiatives aligned closely with the UK–India

Oxford scraps bespoke tests to boost inclusivity

O xf or d U n i v ers i ty w i ll replace its bespoke adm issio ns tests wi th standardised ones as p art o f efforts to m ake th e app licatio n process m ore inclusive

The change affects subjects with existing exams, including sciences, maths, history, and PPE (politics, philosophy, and economics) From 2027 entry, applicants will take generic tests devel-

used by universities such as D

and the LSE

allowing students to sit one test for multiple universities, and reduce barriers for those without access to pri-

visiting Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru includes Professor B haskar Vi ra, Pro-Vice- Chanc ellor for Educ ation an d Environm ental Sus tainab ility, and the firs t Indi an Pro-Vic eChanc ellor in Cam bridge’ s 800-y ear history

Professor Vira said, “It has been inspiring to see the enthusiasm from colleagues in Cambridge and partners across India The Cambridge–India CAS marks an important new chapter in this longstanding relationship ”

The Centre will operate through three integrated strands aligned with the UK Government’s International Education Strategy: a Centre for Advanced Research and Synthesis; a Knowledge, Policy and Innovation Hub; and a Learning Hub offering scholarships, mobility programmes and educational opportunities for students and staff It will function as an umbrella for multiple programmes across India, without being confined to a single physical location

Among the first initiatives under the Learning Hub is a new real estate education programme led by P E Analytics Ltd, with academic support from Cambridge’s Department of Land Economy, aimed at establishing India’s first School of Real Estate Senior University figures will also attend the India Global Education Summit in Chennai later this month

Further strengthening ties, Cambridge plans to host a UK–India partners’ event at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in May, alongside the annual Oxford–Cambridge Varsity cricket match

were initially abolished in the 1990s to level the playing field but later reinstated

dates

While some warn that r

experts say the change

applicants

process, supporting the university’s goal of increasing access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

One in three graduates get a first-class degree

Al most a third of UK un ive rsity students now graduate with a fir st -class de gree, ra ising rene we d conce rns a bout gra de inflation de spite a fall from pande mic-e ra hig hs

According to the Higher E d u c a t i o n S t a t i s t i c s A u t h o r i t y ( H E S A ) , 3 0 p e r cent of students were awarded a first in 2024–25, more t h a n d o u b l e t h e f i g u r e i n 2006–07, when fewer than 13 per cent achieved the top classification While the proportion has declined from a

peak of 36 per cent during the pandemic in 2020–21, it remains far higher than hist o r i c l e v e l s : i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 9 0 s , o n l y a r o u n d 8 p e r cent of students received a first

Some universities award f i r s t s a t p a r t i c u l a r l y h i g h r a t e s A t I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e London, 53 per cent of students now graduate with a first, up from 31 per cent in 2 0 1 0 D u r h a m U n i v e r s i t y awards firsts to 40 per cent o f s t u d e n t s , w h i l e

Manchester and Leeds award 38 per cent and 37 per cent r e

institutions, the proportion has roughly doubled since 2010–11

The Office for Students h a s a

algorithms to ensure stand a r d s h a v e n o t s l i p p e d While firsts have increased sharply, the proportion of upper second-class degrees has remained broadly stable at around 48 per cent

Brexit reset could cost universities £580m

U K universities could face a £580 m illion funding sho rtf all i f th e G o v er nm e nt ag rees to EU d em ands to offer discounted tuition fees to Europ ean students u nd er a proposed you th mobility scheme, new m odelling suggests

Leading universities are urging Sir Keir Starmer to resist pressure from Brussels to allow EU under-30s to pay domestic fees as part of the Prime Minister’s postBrexit “reset” with the EU

T h e y w a r n t h a t d o i n g s o would further strain already fragile university finances, undermine research invest-

ment and weaken the sect o r ’ s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o e c onomic growth

Analysis by the Russell Group, shared with The i Paper, estimates that charging EU students home fees rather than higher international rates would cost the h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n s e c t o r around £580 million, based on current enrolment levels EU undergraduates currently pay between £11,400 and £32,000 a year, compared with £9,535 for UK students

W h i l e u n i v e r s i t i e s broadly support closer ties with Europe and see a youth e x p

potentially beneficial, they argue that extending home-

changes affecting international students

Ministers have insisted that domestic fees are “not up for discussion”, but EU officials argue they are necessary to ensure access for o r d i n a r y E u r o p e a n s t udents Negotiations are also ongoing over visa caps, with both sides seeking a compromise The Government says any final scheme must be capped, time-limited and exclude access to home fees

International student decline hits UK enrolment numbers

T he to tal nu mber of s tudents enrolled in UK higher educatio n fell by 1 p er cent i n t h e 2 02 4–2 5 a c ad em i c year, driven largely by a c ontinued decline in pos tgradu ate tau gh t study, according to new figu res fro m the Higher Educatio n Statistics Agency (HES A) A total of 2 86 million s t u d e n t s w e r e e n r o l l e d , down from 2 9 million the previous year First degree courses remained the most popular route, accounting

ments in other undergraduate routes fell sharply P

study remained the main p

per cent, extending a downturn that began in 2022–23

The fall was driven by international students, particularly from outside the EU, where numbers dropped by 10 per cent EU

flat By contrast, postgradu-

suggesting sustained demand for doctoral study Meanwhile,

overseas enrolments for UK qualifications rising by 8 per cent, underlining the sector’s increasing global reach despite domestic volatility

talented Indian students

Delegation from the UK, visiting India

T H E T I M E L E S S R O M A N C E O F B R I T I S H

V A L E N T I N E T R A D I T I O N S

From the m isty Rom an outposts o f L ond inium to the g littering d igital screens of mod ern-d ay Lo nd on, the United Kingd om has long harboured a d eep-seated obsession with the 14 th of February

While many perceive it as a modern commercial whirlwind, the British story of Valentine’s Day is actually a grand, thousandyear-old drama It is a narrative of forbidden marriages, secret poets, and carved wooden spoons, proving that the British heart has always beat a little faster for a well-timed “I love you ”

A ncient ritu als and sacred beg inning s

The story began long before the first card was ever printed To understand who started this, we must look to the ancient Romans During the mid-February festival of Lupercalia, young men would draw names of women from a jar to pair up for the festivities When Christianity swept across the British Isles, Pope Gelasius I sought to replace these pagan rites In 496 AD, he declared February 14 as the Feast of Saint Valentine Where did this happen? It was a shift felt across the remnants of the Roman Empire, but it took deep root in the British Isles, where the transition from winter to spring was

traditionally seen as a time of rebirth

The king and the poet

If Saint Valentine provided the name, Geoffrey Chaucer provided the soul In the 14th century, Chaucer wrote Parlement of Foules to honour the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia He famously claimed that on this day, “ every bird cometh there to choose his mate ” This was the exact moment when the day transformed from a solemn religious feast into a romantic celebration By the 1400s, British nobles were actively exchanging valentines, with the earliest surviving English love letter written in 1477 by Margery Brews to her “right well-beloved Valentine,” John Paston Why we seek the red rose

The “Why” of our modern symbols is equally dramatic The red rose, a staple of British Valentine’s gifts, became the ultimate emblem because of its historical link to Venus, the Roman goddess of love British folklore suggested that the number of thorns on a stem or the specific shade of red could dictate the depth of one s passion In Wales, the tradition took a more tactile turn

From the 17th century, Welsh suitors would spend months hand-carving Love

Spoons from a single piece of wood These intricate items featured symbols like bells for weddings or hearts for tied lives, serving as a permanent, wooden contract of affection

A p ostal rev olu tion in the UK

The how of Valentine’s Day changed forever in 1840 with the introduction of the Uniform Penny Post Before this, sending a letter was an expensive luxury Suddenly, for just one penny, anyone in Victorian Britain could send a secret message This led to a massive surge in ‘Vinegar Valentines’, sarcastic, anonymous cards sent to ward off unwanted suitors as well as the beautiful lace-trimmed cards we recognise today By the mid-19th century, the British post office was overwhelmed every

February, processing millions of handwritten professions of love

T he m odern British celebration

Today, the UK remains one of the most enthusiastic observers of the holiday Statistics show that approximately 25 million cards are exchanged annually within the British Isles alone, with total spending on flowers, chocolates, and dining often exceeding £1 billion While digital messages are on the rise, the traditional physical card remains the preferred medium for Brits From the legendary defiance of a Roman priest to the digital likes of the 2020s, the UK’s commitment to Valentine’s Day proves that while the methods of delivery change, the British desire for a bit of mid-winter magic remains unshakable

Romantic getaways for a February escape

With Valentine’s Day falling

o n a Saturday in 20 26, th ere is no better excu se to swap the city bustle for a chang

o f s cenery T h is leap- year w eekend offers a rare opp ortunity to stretch your celebrations across tw o full days o f d isco very and relaxation

Stepping away

Little tokens of love for you

Valentine ’ s D ay in 2026 is all about th e thought th at counts, moving a way from over-the- top gestures toward sweet, persona l tok ens

This year, the focus shifts to creating lasting memories through small, intentional acts of kindness rather than

grand, hollow displays It is a time to celebrate the unique quirks of your relationship with gifts that whisper “I know you ” instead of “I bought this ” Whether you ’ re a local or celebrating from afar, these five Britishinspired ideas are perfect for showing you care

of you ” gesture

Heritag e fragrances and romantic glows

A personalis ed star m aps

Capture the exact alignment of the universe on the night you first met with a custom map of the British night sky It is a romantic way to freeze time, showing the constellations that looked down on you as your story began A framed version makes for a delicate, sentimental addition to any home

The da te night experience

Skip the frantic rush of busy restaurants and get stuck in with a DIY pottery kit It is a brilliant way to spend a cosy evening at home, getting your hands messy while crafting something unique together Even if your creations are a bit lopsided, the laughter shared during the process is the real gift

Artisanal be nto cake s

These miniature cakes are a massive trend this year Small enough to share between two people, these tiny, handpainted desserts are often decorated with delicate florals or sweet messages They are almost too cute to eat, serving as the perfect, sugary “thinking

Treat your partner to a bespoke fragrance profiling session to discover a scent that truly captures their essence To complete the atmosphere, pair it with a luxury candle in a classic rose scent The soft, romantic glow and high-end botanical aromas will fill their space with warmth and affection

A gift that lasts In many cultures, gold is the ultimate symbol of enduring love and prosperity Gifting a small 22ct gold coin or a classic pendant is not just a romantic gesture; it is a meaningful investment that appreciates over time Unlike flowers that fade, a piece of gold serves as a permanent reminder of a love that only grows more valuable

WHEN MANTRAS MEET MODERN BEATS

Inside the rise of bhajan clubbing across the UK and India

Anusha Singh

In an era w here v irtual connections are increasingly sup erficial, a sp iritu al revolution is brewing, one th at h armonises ancient d ev otio n with mo dern rhythm s

Soul-stirring kirtans, immersive storytelling, and high-energy collective vibes with pounding drums and electric guitars are rewriting the rules of spiritual expression

Welcome to the newage phenomenon of bhajan clubbing, where seekers of the sacred converge to experience the transcendent power of sound and community This youth-driven movement fuses centuries-old devotional songs (bhajans) with club-inspired energy, satisfying Gen Z’s hunger for both meaning and mindful partying

Imagine a party where the music isn’t EDM or Bollywood, but remixed Sanskrit mantras and bhajans, amplified on powerful speakers or sung live

Participants gather in dim lounges, open terraces,

slow, sad songs but as something joyful, energetic and uplifting It’s about coming together, singing your hearts out, clapping, and creating a high positive energy collectively Bhajans don’t have to be heavy, they can be happy and full of life

bookings available via his website at https://bhavikharia com/ Ind ia’ s sp iritu al remix

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spotlighted the trend in his 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat, praising how bhajan clubbing merges spirituality with modernity while preserving the sanctity of bhajans “Bhajans and kirtans have been the soul of our culture for centuries Today’s youth have incorporated the spirit of devotion into their experiences and lifestyles,” the PM said Backstage Siblings, Prachi and Raghav, sit at

or repurposed nightclubs, barefoot, hands raised, with incense wafting and neon mandala projections swirling, chanting “Hare Krishna” or “Govinda” to groovy beats

The UK’ s bhajan jamming m ovement

Bhavik Haria, an international vocalist central to the UK’s bhajan jamming scene, prefers the term “jamming” over “clubbing” because the energy is more collective and spiritual “It removes the boundaries between the stage and the audience, everyone becomes one, singing and vibing together,”

Reflecting on why these gatherings appeal to the youth that is generally distant from organised religion, he said, “I think it’s resonating because, in the chaos of everyday life, more young people are searching for spaces that bring them peace and calm That’s essentially what this creates People are also starting to experience Bhajans differently, not as

“At the same time, people are beginning to understand the meanings and stories behind the Bhajans and appreciate their depth and beauty A lot of young people are open to spirituality, but they don’t necessarily connect with strict formal structures This feels more natural and personal, allowing them to connect in their own way, rather than through something that feels forced or preachy ”

Having hosted bhajan concerts worldwide for the past five years, Bhavik notes, “this is just a new expression of something very old: people coming together through music to feel something deeper than themselves ” He is confident that this is not a trend but a practice here to stay Bhavik Haria’s upcoming UK Bhajan Jams will take place in London on 8 February, Leicester on 8 March, Northampton on 21 March, Birmingham on 28 March, and Milton Keynes on 29 March, with

North Londoner Priyesh

Bathia joins ‘The Apprentice’

Priyesh Bathia, a 28-yearold entrepreneur from North Harro w, made his telev ision d ebut as a contestant on the 20 th anniversary series of The A pprentice

One of 20 candidates vying for Lord Alan Sugar’s £250,000 investment, Bathia is pitching his mobile cocktail business, Boozy Bar, with plans to launch a ready-to-drink range in major supermarkets

The series opener saw the teams fly to Hong Kong

for a high-stakes scavenger hunt, marking the first time the show’s boardroom has relocated overseas Bathia, a former PwC consultant and economics graduate from Nower Hill High School, left corporate life to pursue

his passion for hospitality Alongside his cocktail venture, he co-owns the Elephant and Barrel pub brand, which fuses British pub culture with Indian flavours in Fulham and Felixstowe

Supported by his parents, Parul and Kamlesh, Bathia watched the premiere from his family home He is currently overseeing a £500,000 renovation of his third pub, The Royal Oak in Stockwell, set to reopen in April 2026

Artist Anish Kapoor eyes cosmic sculpture project

Sir Anish Kap oor p lans to send a house-sized sculpture into sp ace in a launch costing h und reds of millions of do llars

the centre of this shift, recognising a feeling many had forgotten how to name Years of attending satsangs and listening to bhajans with their father shaped their understanding of sound: collective, unpolished, and grounding With no fixed setlist and the belief that the main stage is the audience, each session is curated in the moment

“There was never a time when bhajans weren’t present, it’s just that today, people are rediscovering their value What this shift really means is that people are now consciously choosing presence over noise, and depth over distraction People have forgotten how to pause and look up, and these sessions allow them to give some time of their day to themselves, to truly be present and feel ”

Around 80% of their audience is Gen Z, aged 18 to 35 “We’ve seen people from all age groups come for our sessions, but at its heart this is an initiative by the youth and for the youth It truly makes us happy to see so many people from our generation showing up, supporting it, and taking this forward with so much love,” they said Their India Bhajan Jamming Tour has kicked off, drawing 4,000–5,000 people per show Having performed internationally in Singapore and Dubai, they have announced a US tour for May–June

The British sculptor said the work would be visible from Earth, celebrating the “inestimable magic of space ” while protesting its commercialisation “It is hard not to sound pompous, but what we are trying to do is bring back the early sense of adventure in space, ” Kapoor, 71, told The Times “It was a whole new frontier, but now it feels like we are conquering it for money ” Known for bold creations including the ArcelorMittal Orbit,

Britain’s tallest sculpture built for the 2012 Olympics, Kapoor described the challenge as both ambitious and poetic “What can stand up against vast, eternal, cosmic space? We want something visible from Earth,” he said Details remain scarce, but Kapoor hinted the sculpture “might” include mirrors, reminiscent of his reflective Cloud Gate in Chicago

Kapoor said existing rockets could deliver the sculpture into orbit, though the cost would likely reach nine figures Inspired by the 1969 moon landing and the International Space Station, he described the project as “physical, poetic, and intellectual, not about occupying space ” The Mumbai-born artist, knighted in 2013 and the first living artist with a solo Royal Academy exhibition, has frequently used art as protest, including supporting Greenpeace’s climate campaign

Lancashire writer nominated for BAFTA short film award

Th e British Academy o f Film and Television A rts (BAFT A) announced the nominations for its 79th ceremony, naming Lancashire film maker Sufiyaan S alam as a contend er for Best British Sh ort Film Salam, alongside director and co-writer Luis Hindman, was recognised for their project MAGID / ZAFAR The film, which premiered at the London Film Festival in 2025, explores the intense confrontation between two British Asian former childhood friends in a Pakistani restaurant, reacting against the underrepresentation of such spaces in contemporary cinema

Born in Blackburn, Salam’s creative journey was influenced by the

vibrant community and local takeaways of his youth His nomination follows a victory at the British Independent Film Awards, where he became only the second British Pakistani to win the category Beyond his cinematic success, Salam is set to publish his debut novel, WIMMY ROAD BOYZ, with Penguin Random House in May 2026, after winning Stormzy’s Merky Books New Writers Prize

SSGP UK is organizing a soulful bhajan night in support of education for underprivileged village girls in rural India S IN GERS : Dhanjibhai & Bhimjibhai (Woolwich) Shiv Shakti Mandal Saturday, 7 February 2026

The winners will be announced on February 22, at London's Royal Festival Hall MAGID / ZAFAR faces competition from four other shorts: Terence, Welcome Home Freckles, Nostalgie, and This Is Endometriosis By embracing his identity through Qawallis and rap battles, Salam hopes his work will stand as a testament to the modern British-Muslim experience while competing on the global stage

Dinner: 5:00pm onwards Bh ajans: 6:30pm onwards Venue: Croft Hall Kingsbury High School (Lower School)

Bacon Lane, Kingsbury, London NW9 9AT

Bhavik Haria

Priyesh Bhatia

Sir Anish Kapoor

L-R: Producer Aidan Robert Brooks, writer and director and Luis Hindman, and writer Sufiyaan Salam

7

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel OBE

A c om mon in vesting m istake people m ake i s highlighted by a c li ent q ues tion I recei ved The ans wer is below and you can work out the question and problem he had from the answe r:

I’m going to answer this very di rectly, because this is the same question in a different wrapper, and it’s exactly where you keep tripping yourself up

San Di sk (vi a Western Digital exposure) is n ot the question y ou should be as king

The question you keep asking is:

“Is this stock interesting right now because it has tailwinds?”

That is a momentum-chasing question, not an investing question

Here’s the straight answer, then the framework you need to stick to

First, on SanDisk / memory / tailwinds Yes:

• memory demand has cyclical tailwinds,

• AI and data centres increase storage needs,

• sentiment has turned from awful to optimistic But:

• memory is one of the most brutally cyclical industries in markets,

• pricing power comes and goes fast,

• returns are dominated by cycle timing, not quality,

• and these stocks regularly fall 50–70% even when the long-term story is “intact”

That means this is not a Quality 5-style compounder

It is a cyc le trade

So asking “overvalued or interesting?” is the wrong framing

The correct framing is:

“Do I want to run a cycli cal memory trade right now, knowing I could be wrong for months and take a big drawdown?”

If the answer isn’t an immediate and comfortable “ yes ” , then the answer is no trade

Second, why this keeps happening with you

Every time:

• a stock has tailwinds,

• sentiment turns,

• price moves up,

you ask whether you should rotate into it from something boring and high quality

That’s exactly how people end up with lots of clever entries and poor long- term results

You already own:

• the AI beneficiaries,

• the platform companies,

• the quality infrastructure names

You do not need to chase second-order beneficiaries every time a narrative gets exciting

Third, where this would fit (if at all)

If you insist on touching this type of stock, it belongs:

• in a small, clearly labelled cyclical / tactical sleeve,

• sized so that a 40–50% drawdown does not bother you,

• with an exit rule defined before you buy

It does n ot b elon g:

• as a replacement for core holdings,

• as a long-term “hold and forget”,

• or as something you keep revisiting every time momentum appears

Fourth, the rule you need to remember

If a stock is only interesting b ecause of current tai lwinds , it is already late-cycle

Quality investing asks:

“Will I be happy owning this through a full cycle?”

Cycle trading asks:

“Can I time this well enough to get out?”

Be honest about which game you ’ re playing before you click buy

Final answer, very simply

• Is SanDisk interesting as a cycle trade? Possibly

• Is it overvalued? That’s irrelevant for a cyclical memory stock

• Does it belong in your core portfolio? No

• Should you rotate out of quality to chase it? Absolutely not

If y ou want to do s om ethi ng useful ins tead:

• stick to the portfolio model,

• stop asking single-stock “is it interesting?” questions,

• and only add trades when they fit a predefi ned sleeve wi th rules

Otherwise you’ll keep running in circles, just with different stock names each time Best,

British Asian entrepreneurs contribute £261m to UK tax take

The annual Sunday Times Tax List has revealed the UK’s 100 biggest taxpayers,

Betfred topping the rankings for the first time, overtaking a mix of musicians, entrepreneurs and sporting stars

Collectively, the top 100 paid a staggering £5 758bn

profits and higher corporation tax rates

R

compiles the list, said the

broaden in scope and background “This is an increas-

Premier League footballers

owners selling pies, pillows

“This year there’s been a big jump in the amount of tax

because of higher corporation tax rates ” Mov ing offsho re

The list also highlights a growing trend of wealthy individuals leaving the UK Six taxpayers featured this year are no longer resident, amid speculation that some moves were prompted by

x p e c t a t i o n

f h i g h e r taxes under a Labour government or the ending of non-dom status

“One in nine of the people who make the tax list are no longer listed as resident here in the UK,” Watts said “They have chosen to l i v e i n M o r o c c o , D u b a i , S w i t z e r l a n d , C y p r u s , Portugal, the United States and the Channel Islands

“ C l e a r l y , t h o s e w h o

h a v e m o v e d o f f s h o r e a r e still delivering huge sums to HM Treasury through their businesses, but the Chancellor would n o d o u b t b e r a i s i n g e v e n m o r e m o n e y from these people had t h e y c h o s e n t o s t a y put and remain liable for personal tax here ” British Asian presence B r i t i s h A s i a n s remain a notable prese n c e o n t h e l i s t , accounting for five of

BRND ME, formerl y known as Mens a Brands, has entered the UK as part of its first s truc ture d expansion into E ur ope, marking a new phas e in the c om pany ’ s inter na tional growth s trategy

the top 100 taxpayers, or 5 per cent of the rankings

Together, these individuals

e d a r o u n d £ 2 6 1 m i n t a x , underlining the significant role British Asian-led businesses continue to play in the UK economy Their representation is

rankings show considerable m o v e m e

climbing sharply and others slipping amid shifting market conditions

T h e c o n s u m e r b r a n d s g r o u p , which builds and operates digital-first brands, has launched across the UK, Germany, France and Spain, with plans to expand into Italy, the Netherlands and Poland over the next year The UK is among the first European markets where BRND ME has begun selling directly to consumers, following earlier expansion into the Middle East, the US and Canada

In Europe, the company ’ s push is being led by its haircare and aromatherapy brands Botanic Hearth and Majestic Pure The region is estimated to represent a total addressable market of more than £3 1bn ($4bn) across beauty categories such as haircare and aromatherapy

“Europe was the next step in our international strategy, and we expect the European business to scale significantly by the end of 2026,” said Ananth Narayanan, founder and chief executive The company ’ s European strategy is centred on digital discovery, including social media-led marketing, and on expanding direct-to-consumer sales to build repeat demand, improve margins and capture customer data, rather than relying solely on third-party marketplaces

Looking ahead, BRND ME expects Europe to play a central role in scaling its international haircare and aromatherapy business to an annual run rate of around £47m ($60m) over the next six years, with the UK positioned as one of its core markets

that have advanced to the

of bidding for

and

ments co mpany, acco rding to p

am iliar with the matter EQT AB and TPG Inc are also understood to have progressed in the process for the business, which owns

Vitabiotics could be valued at around £900m (approximately $1 2bn) in a potential transaction, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the discussions are private Earlier reports indicated that an Indian pharmaceutical company was exploring a possible takeover of Vitabiotics, highlighting early interest from both strategic buyers and financial investors The company sells vitamins and sup-

Wellwoman, Pregnacare and Wellbaby, which are widely stocked across UK pharmacies and supermarkets Vitabiotics is led by chief executive Tej Lalvani, son of Kartar Lalvani, who founded the company and continues to serve as chairman Sources cautioned that deliberations are ongoing and there is no certainty that a deal will be completed The outcome, including valuation and ownership structure, could still change as talks progress

Suneil Setiya Ranjit Singh and Baljinder Boparan

Ayman Rahman and Fateha Begum

Tarsem Dhaliwal

Bobby, Simon and Robin Arora

Ananth Narayanan Dr Kartar and Tej Lalvani

Param Shah

Dr

India’s 2026–27 budget sets stage for deeper UK–India economic ties

India’s Union Budget for 2026–27, presented on 1 February, arrives at a time of global economic realignment, marked by shifting capital flows and the reconfiguration of supply chains For the United Kingdom, the Budget is particularly significant It coincides with the anticipated ratification of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and outlines a series of fiscal, regulatory and trade-facilitation measures that could reshape how British firms engage with the Indian economy, with implications also for the British Indian d i a s

between the two countries

For international businesses, the Budget reinforces policy continuity, a critical factor in long-term investment decisions A public capital expenditure outlay of ₹12 2 trillion is directed towards industrial corridors, ports, multimodal transport and logistics infrastructure These investments are expected to lower distribution costs and reduce working-capital pressures across manufacturing and consumer-facing sectors operating pan-India supply chains

Tax reform forms a central pillar of the fiscal agenda From April 2026, a simplified income tax framework is to be introduced alongside streamlined compliance systems and reduced litigation thresholds Together, these measures aim to improve predictability, lower administrative burdens and reduce friction for foreign companies operating in India

The digital economy is a clear beneficiary of the new Budget Foreign cloud-service providers establishing data centres in India will be eligible for a tax holiday until 2047, while a 15 per cent safe-harbour regime will apply to certain

infrastructure hub, relevant for UK firms running global

technology operations

Customs and trade facilitation reforms also feature prominently The Budget outlines expanded digital singlewindow clearances, wider use of risk-based inspections and fewer physical checks at the border Alongside rationalised customs duties and digitised export documentation, these measures are intended to reduce delays and improve supply-chain reliability for importers and exporters alike F

growth Continued support for plug-and-play industrial parks, logistics hubs and industrial estates lowers entry barriers, while preferential tax treatment for businesses operating within international financial centres enhances India’s appeal as a base for regional professional services and treasury operations

These domestic reforms gain further relevance in the c

implemented, tariff liberalisation and improved access for services will interact with Budget-driven infrastructure creation to strengthen the commercial case for locating production or service delivery in India, whether to serve its large domestic market or export to third countries

The timing is notable UK–India trade has expanded steadily in recent years In the year to the third quarter of 2025, UK exports to India reached £18 9 billion, while i m p o r t s f r o m I n d i a s t

o n S

v i c e s accounted for nearly two-thirds of UK exports, a segment likely to benefit from improved regulatory coordination and digital connectivity

Sector-specific opportunities are emerging on both sides Advanced engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, financial advisory and education services in the UK may gain from smoother procedures, while Indian exporters to the UK, particularly in apparel, automotive components and IT services stand to benefit from faster turnaround times and more resilient logistics

T h e B u d g e t a l s o c a r r i e s i m p l i c a t i o n s f

Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in the UK Liberalised portfolio investment rules now allow overseas individuals to raise holdings in Indian listed companies from 5 per cent to as much as 24 per cent In parallel, the rationalisation of tax-deduction requirements on certain remittances and cross-border p a y m e n t s s h o u l d r e d u c e f r i c t i o n f o r f a m i l i e s , entrepreneurs and investors maintaining financial links with India

T a k

reflects a deliberate effort to align domestic reform with outward-facing trade strategy Infrastructure investment, t a x s i m p l i f

d customs modernisation form a coherent policy package that complements the strategic intent of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement For British firms and the diaspora alike, this year could mark an important step towards a more integrated and commercially significant UK–India economic partnership

(Views are pers onal)

Union Budget boosts India’s medical tourism and NRI investments

Continued from page 01

Calling it a Yuva Shakti–driven Budget, S

aspirations into achievements through stronger domestic manufacturing, high-

development This year ’ s Union Budget has also provided a significant boost to India’s Medical Tourism sector as well as

them new opportunities to invest and engage with the country With initiatives such as regional medical hubs, enhanced healthcare infrastructure, and simplified investment rules for NRIs, the Budget

ecosystem

Medical tourism, health infra Giving a boost to Indi

Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a new

wi th the private secto

Presenting the Union Budget 202627, she said the hubs will function as

research, along with A YU SH

ent res,

and

d iagnosti cs, p ost-care and rehabi li tatio

p ro fessio nals

Citing the growing global interest in Ayurveda post-Covid, the minister also announced three new A ll Ind ia Institutes o f A yurveda to strengthen research and academics In August 2023, the Centre introduced the AYUSH Visa category to p

healthcare travel to India

The Budget also unveiled Bio Pharma S hakti , a Rs 10,000-crore (£810 million) i n i t i a

t o position India as a global biopharma hub and strengthen the life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem The scheme aims to boost domestic production of advanced medicines such as biologics a n d b i o s i m i l a r s , r e d

t dependence, and align drug regulation with global standards through a stronger CDSCO The WHO G lobal Trad itio nal Medi cine Centre i n Jamnagar will also be u p g r a d e d t o s u p p

r t e v i d e n c e - b a s e d research and training

The Ministry of Health and Family

Welfare was allocated Rs 1 06 lakh crore (£8 59 billion), while the Ministry of Ayush received R s 4,4 08 93 cro re (£357 12 mi l li o n) T h e Bu d ge t p r o p

accred ited Indian cli ni cal tri al si tes

Huge boost for NRIs

T h e B u d g e t 2 0 2 6 b r i n g s s e v e r a l measures beneficial for NRIs One key i n i t i a t i v e a l l o w s i n d i v i d u a l s l i v i n g a

Scheme Experts say this move could strengthen India’s pool of long-term, stable capital, especially at a time when foreign portfolio investor inflows have s l o w e d O t h e r m e a s u r e s f o r N R I s i n c l u d e d o u b l i n g t h e i n d i v i d u a l investment limit for P ers ons Res ident Ou tside India (PROI s) from 5% to 10%, a n d r a i s i n g t h e o v e r a l l l i m i t f o r a l l

PROI s fro m 10% to 24% The Budget also allows NRIs to invest in Indian equities through the portfolio route F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r N i r m a l a Sitharaman simplified TDS on property sales by non-residents in the Union Budget 2026 Resident buyers can now deduct and deposit TDS using a PANbased challan, eliminating the need for a Tax Deduc tio n Accou nt N umber (TAN ) TDS is deducted at the time of payment on income such as salary, i n t e r e s t , r e n t , p r o f e s s i o n a l f e e s , dividends, and property transactions, and is adjusted against the final tax liability The Budget also introduced a on e - t im e s ix - mo n t h fo r e ig n a s se t disclosur e scheme for st ude nts, youn g pr o fe s si on a l s, e x p a t r ia t e s , a n d r e l o ca t e d N R Is F or un

scl os

d overseas income/ asset s up to Rs 1 crore (£81,000) (Cat egory A), t axpaye rs will pay 30% t ax plus 30% in lieu of pena lty wit h immunity from prosecut ion For asse ts alr eady tax ed b ut not decl are d

Re mitt ance Sche me will be

2%, down from 5-20%

(£608) under the new Bagg age Rules, 2026, replacing regulations that had been in force for nearly a decade The revised limit applies to Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin arriving by air or sea, up from the earlier Rs 50,000 (£405) The dut y-free a ll owance for

women and 20 grams for other s, as

rt of their bona fide ba ggage Je we lle ry includes

Big key takeaways from the Union Budget 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced new funds, including a Rs 2,000-crore (£162 million) top-up for the Self Reliant India Fund to aid capital-starved micro enterprises and a Rs 10,000-crore (£810 million) SME Growth Fund to scale high-potential

export readiness A scheme to revive 200 legacy industry clusters is also planned

(£99 0 billion) , up 11 5% from Rs 10 96 lakh crore (£88 8 billion) last year The funds will boost roads, railways, ports,

n g j o b s w h i l e e n h a n c i n g l o n g - t e r m p r o d u c t i v i t y A d d i t i o n a l l y , s e v e n h i g h - s p e e d r a i l c o r r i d o r s a c o n n e c t i n g k e y c i t i e s , including Mumbai-Pune, HyderabadBengaluru, Chennai-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Varanasi, will be developed as environmentally sustainable “growth c o n n e c t o r s ” A d e d i c a t e d f r e i g h t c o r r i d o r f r o m D a n g k u n i ( W e s t Bengal) to Surat (Gujarat) has been a n n o u n c e d , a l o n g w i t h p l a n s t o o p e r a t i o n a l i s e 2 0 n e

cargo transport

Story behind Sitharaman’s saree choice for budget day

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with the Ministers of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary as well as her Budget Team/senior officials

c

Economic

Survey 2025-26 sees FY27 growth at 6.8-7.2%

The Ec onomic Survey 20252 6 strikes a cautiously opti-

m i s t i c n ot e, p ro j e c ti n g

I n d i a ’ s G D P gr ow th a t

6 8% - 7 2 % f or F Y 2 7 , marginally hi gher than the 6 3%-6 8% forecast for FY 26

i n las t year ’ s survey

T h e o u t l o o k r e f l e c t s stronger domestic momentum, supported by resilient consumption, public capital expenditure and improving fundamentals The survey

a l s o n o t e s t h a t g r o w

S om e of the world’s la rge st r ein sur ers, in cluding Lloy d’s

o f L o n d o n , a r e s e e k in g I nd ia n r e gu la t or y ap pr ova l t o ope ra te from GIFT City, a low-ta x fin ancial hub in the p rime min ist er ’ s home sta te, a ccor ding t o sources

They join firms such as Samsung Re, Kenya Re and Spain’s Mapfre Re in target-

i n g I n d i a

n c e m

t h e world’s tenth largest, and are expected to seek approval

global headwinds, with the

expectations even after the U S

hikes on Indian exports

The Survey said structural reforms and targeted policies helped the economy absorb external shocks, but warned that the global environment remains fragile with significant downside risks A weaker AI-led productivity boost and prolonged trade conflicts could weigh on asset valuations,

this year Their plans to set up in GIFT City have not been reported earlier GIFT City offers incentives including a 10-year tax h

exemptions, as India looks

Singapore and Dubai The reinsurance market is led by Swiss Re, Munich Re, pri-

growth

S

Wright Research PMS said the Survey signals

sup-

and NBFCs entering FY27 from

S

position of strength

adding that India remains

global uncertainty

recent reforms

Several reinsurers, such as Saudi Re, Korean Re, Peak Re, Kuwait Re, Abu Dhabi

received approval to operate from GIFT City About 14 global reinsurers currently o

$700-800 million in annualised premiums, a number expected to rise to at least 20 by March 2026

India, South Asia to need 3,300 new aircraft by 2044

A irlines in India and S outh

A sia will need around 3, 300 new aircraft by 204 4 to meet su rging air trav el d em and, accord ing to Boeing

The US aircraft maker said passenger traffic in the region is expected to grow by about 7% annually over the next 20 years, driven by economic growth, a rising middle class, and improved

0 pilots, 45,000 technicians, and 51,000 cabin crew, while narrow-body jets will make up nearly 90% of new deliveries B

remains a key growth market and will add significantly

o r e a i r c r a f t C i t i n g B o e i n g ’ s C o m m e r c i a l

Market Outlook, the agency report noted that India is the world’s fastest-growing aviation region, with airline fleets set to nearly quadru-

ple from 795 to 2,925 aircraft over the next 20 years, driving demand for about 3,300 n e w p l a n e s b y 2 0 4 4 T h e report added that airlines will expand long-haul opera t i o n s , w i t h t h e r e g i o n ’ s wide-body fleet expected to more than triple as India emerges as a major international passenger and cargo hub

L&T bags orders in Saudi Arabia, India

L ar s en & T o u b r o ( L& T )

h as bagg ed a fr esh order

w o r t h R s 5 , 000 – 1 0 ,0 00 cr ore in S au di Arabia for t h e ext en si o n o f t h e Riyadh Met ro T h e H e a v y C i v i l Infrastructure arm of L&T received the contract from the Royal Commission of Riyadh City as part of an ultra-mega project awarded to a global consortium comprising Webuild, L&T, Nesma & Partners, Alstom

a n d I D O M U n d e r t h e contract, L&T will handle

t h e d e s i g n a n d t u r n k e y construction of an 8 4-km extension of the Red Line, i n c l u d i n g b o t h e l e v

d and underground sections The project scope also i

metro stations along the Red Line extension Earlier

this month, on January 16, L&T had secured another

LNG, a joint venture of ONGC, IOCL, GAIL and BPCL A $ 3

multinational, L&T operates across EPC projects,

The company is scheduled

and standalone financial results today, January 28, for the quarter and nine-

A pl anned equal trading joint ven ture be tween Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and gl ob al tr ader Vitol ha s been del ayed due t o disagreemen ts over contra ct t

r m s, so ur c e s sa i d Ke

issues include the vol ume of IOC’s crude unde r the JV and t

in

it clause

I O C h a d a i m e d t o finalise the deal at last week’s India Energy Week to levera

and expertise, expanding its international crude and fuel trading The JV is expected to h

IOC’s overall imports

Vitol is seeking control

crude imports, with negotiat i o n s s

accounting for about $ 2 b i l l i o n ( ₹ 1

With tariffs set t

exports are expected to rise by around

a r

a sh arp rise in exp orts U n d e r t h e a g r e e m e n t , duties of 2–4% on diamonds and jewellery and 12–16% on t e x t i l e p r o d u c t s w i l l b e r e d u c e d t o z e r o , m a k i n g

S u r a t ’ s e x p o r t s 1 0 – 1 5 % cheaper in European markets and more attractive to f o r e i g n b u y e r s , i n d u s t r y experts said S u r a t p r o c e s s e s a b o u t

9 0 % o f t h e w o r l d ’ s d i amonds and produces 40% of I n d i a ’ s m a n - m a d e f a b r i c s I n d i a ’ s e x p o r t s t o t h e European Union currently s t a n d a t $ 7 – 8 b i l l i

units in Surat Dinesh Navadiya, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute, said concerns trigg e r e d b y U S t a r i f f s h a v e eased, as the EU pact opens u p a l a r g e r m a r k e t H e added that demand for both natural and lab-grown diamonds is likely to rise, creating new jobs for gemologists

Yakovlev, HAL Ink preliminary aerospace deal

Se ver al ke y agr ee ment s we re signe d in the Ind ian avia tion se ctor du rin g W ing s Ind ia 2026, the count ry ’ s la rg est civil a viat ion ev ent , re flecting gr owing global in ter est in India ’ s ex pan ding avia tion ma rke t Russian aerospace company Yakovlev signed a prel i m i n a r y a g r e e m e n t w i t h H i n d u s t a n A e r o n a u t i c s Limited (HAL), marking the start of a significant collabor a t i o n A l e x a n d e r Dolotovsky, Deputy General

Director of Yakovlev, said, “While I cannot share specific details at this stage, we are confident HAL is a responsible and reliable partner ” He added, “We view the Indian aviation sector with g r e a

rapidly growing market will r

and passenger numbers are expected to surge We are confident our cooperation will be successful, and pract

o n s u m e r i s bullish on protein, a fastgrowing category in India due to the largely vegetarian p o p u l a t i o n ’ s

e i n g a p and rising demand among n o n - v e g e

portfolio, with brands like Proteinx, aligns well,” said

India-Russia aerospace partnership, saying they aim to leverage it for a unique deal in the Indian market Union C i v i l

India’s progress, noting the country now designs, builds, and leads in global aviation

outlined plans to make the state a premier aero-engine and MRO hub by 2047

and

in brief

PAKISTAN REOPENS LOH TEMPLE OF LORD RAM’S SON

Vibrant Republic Day celebrations in Nairobi

Nairobi: The Hig h Co mmission of I nd ia in Nairobi ho sted

In

The Loh Temple, dedicated to Lava, son of Lord Ram, has been fully restored and reopened to the public at Lahore Fort in Pakistan The Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) in collaboration with Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan has conserved the Loh Temple along with the Sikh-era Hammam and Athdara Pavilion The Loh Temple with interconnected chambers and an open-air shrine is now a key cultural site in Lahore Fort Believed to be named after Lava, son of Lord Ram, it was partly restored in 2018, with recent work highlighting the Fort s Sikh Hindu, Mughal and British heritage, said WCLA spokesperson Tania Qureshi Last year, a Sikh researcher identified 100 Sikh-era (1799–1849) monuments, 30 of which no longer exist WCLA also commissioned US-based Dr Tarunjit Singh Butalia to write a guidebook on the Fort’s role as the Sikh Empire’s seat of power for nearly 50 years

US RELEASES LIST OF GIFTS FROM INDIAN LEADERS

The US State Department has released details of gifts presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian officials to US leaders, including former president Joe Biden Compiled by the Office of the Chief of Protocol the report lists foreign gifts in 2024 above the $480 disclosure threshold It includes a $562 gift from Modi to Biden, a wooden chest scarf saffron with jar and tea box received during the September 2023 G20 summit in India Non-perishable items were archived while saffron and tea were destroyed under Secret Service rules The disclosures also note a $7 750 sterling silver train set gifted by Modi to Biden in July 2024 a pashmina shawl for Jill Biden, and gifts to Kamala Harris, Douglas Emhoff and Jake Sullivan

NIKKI HALEY’S SON FACES BACKLASH FOR INDIA CRITICISM

Nalin Haley, son of former US ambassador and Republican leader Nikki Haley sparked online backlash after criticising India s ties with the United States In a post on X, Haley accused India of being an unreliable partner, claiming it sends “cheap labour” to the US while buying oil from Iran and weapons from Russia and urged Washington to rethink its alliances, calling India’s leadership a “cheap government” The remarks, made amid progress on an India-US trade deal followed a resurfaced 2023 video of Vivek Ramaswamy supporting closer ties The post drew backlash, with critics noting India is a strategic partner, not a formal US ally, and questioning Haley’s understanding of India’s foreign policy

INDIAN COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN CANADA

A Punjab couple was found dead in a pool of blood under mysterious circumstances at their home in Redstone, northeast Calgary, Canada

The deceased were identified as Ekamveer Singh and his wife Jasmine, natives of Chaukiman village near Jagraon in Ludhiana

The deaths have revived painful memories as Ekamveer’s parents had also died under unnatural circumstances years ago The village is in shock, with only his elderly grandmother remaining there, while his younger brother lives with maternal grandparents

attend ed by senior Kenyan officials, diplomats, business leaders, and the Indian diasp ora

The National Day Reception at India House was graced by

Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya

The event highlighted the historic, multi-faceted partnership between India and Kenya,

mutual respect Guests included

heads, business leaders, media,

evening featured cultural performances and a curated Indian culinary experience celebrating India’s rich heritage

HE Adarsh Swaika, India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, welcomed guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations, call-

milestone and praising Kenya’s shared democratic values He

under PM Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision, including its status as the world’s largest democracy, fourth-largest economy, leader

of

imports

Swaika also noted historic India-Kenya ties through trade, the Kenya-Uganda railway, and anti-colonial movements, hon-

Makhan Singh High-level visits and $3 5 billion in trade, over 200 Indian businesses, develop-

and the Indian diaspora, recognised as Kenya’s 44th tribe, have strengthened relations

India’s global role, its support for Africa, and the upcoming AI Impact Summit, while noting Kenya’s gratitude for India’s aid

Pakistani forces kill 145 militants amid attacks

rocked by nearly

hours of

leaving dozens of civilians and securi ty personnel dead

killing

Panjgur, Tump, and Pasni, targeting police stations, checkpoints, training centres, banks, m

offices

B

Bugti said the attacks followed c r e d i b l e i n t e l l i g e n c e , w h i l e I n t e r i o r M i n i s t e r T a l a l

Chaudhry noted militants dis-

guised as civilians and using locals as shields, reflecting a shift in tactics In Quetta, vehicles and buildings were dama g e d , w h i l e i n G w a d a r f i v e labourers were killed, and a suicide attack in Pasni killed one soldier; six militants were later k i l l e d A t t a c k s i n M a s t u n g , Kalat, and Pasni targeted gove r n m e n

Global Indian diaspora hits record levels

Migration h as long been driven by th e s earc h for op po rtunity, safety and better living s tandards

Today, global migration is at record levels, and India is a major part of this trend Home to an estimated 1 4286 billion people, India is the world’s most populous country and the largest source of emigrants, with around 35 4 million Indians living overseas

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the global Indian diaspora has grown and shifted in composition As of January 2025, there are about 17 17 million NRIs and 17 18 million PIOs worldwide

The global Indian diaspora is spread across multiple countries, with the United States hosting the largest population of 5 69 million Indians, 66% PIOs and 34% NRIs The United Arab Emirates follows with 3 90 million, overwhelmingly NRIs (99 8%) Canada has 3 61 million overseas Indians, split almost evenly between PIOs (51%) and NRIs (49%) In Southeast Asia, Malaysia stands out with 2 94 million Indians, of which 94% are PIOs, while Saudi Arabia hosts 2 75 million Indians, all NRIs Sri Lanka has 1 61 million Indians, predominantly PIOs (99 5%), and South Africa’s 1 39 million Indian population is also mostly PIOs (95%) In Western Europe, the United Kingdom has 1 34 million Indians, 72% of whom are PIOs Other Middle Eastern nations like Kuwait host 1 01 million Indians, nearly all NRIs, and in Oceania, Australia is home to 976,000 Indians, with PIOs making up 64% of the total

over 30 prisoners were freed, and in Kharan, political leader Shahid M a l a z a i a n d s i x g u a r d s w e r e k

l l e d Markets closed amid panic

n

d

a l o c

L

b e r a t i o n A r m y ( B L A ) c l a i m e d r e s p o n s i b

Herof” (Black Storm), alleging 84 security forces killed and 18 c a p t u r e d , t h o u g h a u

independence for resource-rich Balochistan, the BLA opposes federal control of its gas, minerals, and security The insurgency, once low-level, has become

more violent and coordinated, with recent attacks on military bases, highways, trains, civil-

havens BLA also released

video

attacker, Hawa Baloch, during “Operation Herof, Phase Two” i

phone late at night, the clip

Pakistani forces and urging the Baloch nation to rise Dressed in a red and blue kurta with a BLA cap, she fires her rifle and tells a fellow attacker, “War is fun,” calling on her people to a

Pakistan

US museum to return stolen ancient bronzes

announced the return of three

India after detailed pro venance research c onfirm ed th ey w ere illegally rem ov ed fro m Indian tem ples

Somaskanda (Chola, 12th centu-

h Paravai (Vijayanagar, 16th centur

n bronzes once carried in temple processions The Indian government has agreed to place the S h i v a N a t a r a j a o n l o n g - t e r m loan, enabling its display in the exhibition The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas

Texas Indian jewellery stores raided over $55m scam

T w o p ro m i ne

been

Federal and local authorities conducted tactical raids on Tilak Jewelers in Irving and S

The gold bar scam, investigated for a year by the Collin County S

geted over 200 senior citizens aged 65 and over Fraudsters posi

ment coerced victims into liquidating their life savings to buy gold bars, which were then collected by couriers These couriers delivered the gold to the

In 2023, researchers working with the Photo Archives of the French Institute of Pondicherry c

photographed in Tamil Nadu temples between 1956 and 1959, a finding later upheld by the Archaeological Survey of India

Art’s commitment to ethical stewardship and transparency

Aushadesvara Temple in Tamil Nadu and found to have been acquired in 2002 using falsified records, while the ‘Somaskanda’

14 sacred idols stolen in Bangladesh ISKCON heist

c om munity i n Ban glades h af te r thieves raided the Sri Sri Pagal Shank ar ISKCON t

di strict on January 2 6

Between 2:00 am and 3:00 am, masked intruders

b

Upazila complex, stealing 14 sacred idols, gold and

d approximately 20,000 Taka in cash

T h e t h e f t w a s discovered at 4:00 am by priest Adi Shishya Temple authorities confirmed that the haul included six brass and eight stone idols, ritual utensils, and two donation boxes This incident marks the second major violation of the sanctuary

violence following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August

External Affairs reporting

attacks since the transition

killed between December

Trump claims he hired Burgum due to his wife

I n a bi za rre O v al Of f ic e

a d d r es s, U S P re si d e nt

Donald Tru mp claim ed he h i r ed I nt eri o r S e cr eta ry

D ou g Burg um after being

s tr u ck by h i s w i fe ’ s ap pearance Whi le sig ning

a n exe cu t iv e o rd er to c o m b at d r u g ad d i c ti o n, T rum p reco unted seeing a v ideo of the cou ple rid ing

h o r se s " I s a id , ‘ W h o i s t h at? ’ " T ru m p rem ark ed , g est u rin g to w a rd K at hr yn

B u rg u m I w as tal ki ng about h er, no t him I said, ‘ I’ m g oi n g to h i re h i m , ’ b ecau se anybo d y th at h as

s o m e bo d y l i ke yo u to be w it h , i t’ s an a m az i ng tribute " Kathryn Burgum, a vocal a d v o c a t e f o r a d d i c t i o n recovery who has been sober

f o r o v e r 2 2 y e a r s , s t o o d

n e a r b y a s t h e P r e s i d e n t

praised her as a big part of her husband’s success The event marked the launch of t h e G r e a t A m e r i c a n Recovery Initiative, a federal effort co-chaired by Kathryn and Robert F Kennedy Jr aimed at integrating drug p r e v e n t i o n

programmes nationwide The comments sparked

critics pointing to Trump’s long history of evaluating women based on physical a p p e a r a n c

a t h e r t h a n professional merit Despite his recent claims of being aesthetic and avoiding such

colleagues and rivals

Bangladesh grants immunity to protesters targeting minorities

T h e B a n g l a d e s hi in t e r i m g ov e

nm e nt , l e d b y No be l l aureat e Muha mmad Yunus, a p p r ov e d a co n t

ov e r s ia l ordina nce gr anting swe epin g immun it y to par ticipants of t he July R evolution

The July Mass Uprising

P r o t e c t i o n a n d

A c c o u n t a b i l i t y O r d i n a n c e s e e k s t o i n d e m n i f y protesters who toppled the Awami League regime Law

Adviser Asif Nazrul stated t h e l a w w i l l w i t h d r a w existing cases and bar new ones against those who acted in political resistance

W h i l e t h e g o v e r n m e n t m a i n t a i n s t h e i n d e m n i t y e x c l u d e s a c t s f o r n a r r o w personal gain, critics fear it p e r m i t s k i l l e r s o f l a w enforcement and minorities

t o g o s c o t - f r e e F o l l o w i n g Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, the country saw a violent a f t e r m a t h H u m a n r i g h t s groups confirmed 44 police

o f f i c e r s w e r e k i l l e d , w h i l e t h e B a n g l a d e s h

2,000 attacks on the Hindu minority, resulting in at least 2 3 d e a t h s a n d t h e

US

grants asylum

to

activist

who exposed Xinjiang abuses

A U S immig ration judg e has

ranted asylum to Gu

national w ho risked h is life to exp

mass detention cam ps in X injiang

In a ruling Judge Charles Ouslander found that Guan faced a well-founded fear of state persecution if returned to China Guan secretly filmed the facilities in 2020, corroborating reports that over a million ethnic Uyghurs were being held against their will

October 2021 when he fled China via Hong Kong, Ecuador, and the Bahamas before s a i l i n g t o F l o r i d a H e u p l o a d e d h i s harrowing footage to YouTube under the a l i a s g u a n g

g hsecurity complexes Despite his whistleblower status, Guan was caught in a mass d e p o r t a t i o n s w e e p b y t h e T r u m p administration in August 2025 and spent five months in detention

The case sparked international outrage w h e n t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H o m e l a n d

Security initially planned to deport him to Uganda in December 2025 This plan was abandoned following bipartisan pressure from Capitol Hill

Lula confirms to visit India then America

desecration of 152 temples T h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s estimates that up to 1,400 people died during the wider u n r e s t A s t h e n a t i

d

f e a r s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l i s e d impunity While the regime

h a s i n d i c t e d H a s i n a f o r crimes against humanity, the decision to shield protesters

f r o m p r o s e c u t i o n f o r retaliatory violence against religious minorities remains a m a j o r f l a s h p o i n t f o r international concern

Gandhi statue stolen from community centre in Australia

On January 12, at ap pro ximately 1 2:50 am , three unidentified individ uals stole a 4 26-kg bronze statu e o f Mahatma Gandhi from th e A u stral ian I nd ian C om m u nity C entre in Rowv ille, Melbourne

was originally gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and inaugurated in 2 0 2 1

in brief

Brazilian President L uiz Inácio Lu la da S ilv a confirmed th at he will co nd uct a state v isit to India and then later to Am erica Th e Indian visit will be from Febru ary 19 to 21

T h e t im in g is c ri ti ca l as L u la s ee ks to nav igate a comp lex global landscape defined b y s h i fti n g tr ad e all i anc es a nd r eg i o na l instability

T h e a n n o u n c e m e n t f o l l o w e d a 5 0m i n u t e t e l e p h o n e c o n v e r s a t i o n b e t w e e n

L u l a a n d T r u m p , w h e r e t h e y d i s c u s s e d e c o n o m i c p r o s p e c t s a n d t h e l i f t i n g o f various tariffs on Brazilian goods Despite t h i s t h a w , t e n s i o n s r e m a i n r

Trump's proposed “Board of Peace ” Lula has urged that this body focus strictly on G

Furthermore, Lula used the dialogue to advocate for comprehensive United Nations Security Council reform He expressed deep c

following the recent American abduction of President Nicolás Maduro S i m u l

NEW ZEALAND REJECTS INVITE TO BOARD OF PEACE

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that New Zealand will not accept US President Donald Trump s invitation to join his newly established Board of Peace In a statement, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand decided not to join the body in its current form after consultations with coalition partners and foreign affairs officials Launched by President Donald Trump to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction, the Board of Peace has since expanded into a permanent global conflict-resolution body, leading allies such as Britain, France and Germany to stay out Foreign Minister Winston Peters said regional powers like Turkey and Egypt were better placed adding that New Zealand would add limited value to the board’s Gaza role

NEW INDIAN CONSULAR CENTRE OPENS IN SEATTLE

The Indian diaspora in the Pacific Northwest gained significance with the official opening of the new Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) in Seattle Located at 1015 2nd Avenue in Seattle’s historic Federal Reserve Building the new facility is co-located with the Consulate General of India, inaugurated by Ambassador Vinay Kwatra in August 2025 The one-stop centre will serve over 144,000 Indian Americans in the Seattle-Tacoma area and thousands more across nine states, including Oregon Alaska and Idaho Managed by VFS Global it provides services such as passport renewals OCI cards, Indian visas and Global Entry Programme verification By late 2025 over 363,000 visa applications were processed across the US, with nearly 24,000 handled by the Seattle consulate alone

INDIAN-ORIGIN MEN HELD IN SHOOTING CASE

Two Indian nationals of Punjabi origin were arrested in Canada over a shooting linked to extortion police said Harshdeep Singh (20) and Hanspreet Singh (21) were stopped by police in Surrey, British Columbia, on January 26, where officers seized a loaded handgun from their vehicle Both have been charged with multiple firearm offences, including possessing a prohibited weapon in a vehicle and dangerous driving, and remain in custody Police said the arrests were part of Project Assurance a campaign targeting extortion and related shootings Surrey saw 132 extortion attempts last year, 49 involving gunfire, mainly affecting the South Asian community

DHAKA-KARACHI FLIGHTS RESTART

Direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed for the first time in over a decade, signalling improved ties between the two countries Once part of the same nation until their split in 1971 travellers had relied on connecting flights via Gulf hubs since 2012 Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched the twiceweekly Dhaka–Karachi service with passengers welcoming the move as it makes travel easier and more frequent The airline said the flights will strengthen trade education and cultural exchanges amid improving bilateral ties Cargo shipping between Karachi and Bangladesh s Chittagong port resumed in November 2024, boosting trade and cultural links

TWO INDIANS DROWN IN NSW RIVER

The perpetrators used an angle grinder to sever the monument from its base, leaving only the bronze feet behind Reports suggest the thieves dismantled the statue into pieces to facilitate its removal from the Kingsley Close premises This significant monument

Morrison to symbolise Indo-Australian ties However, the site has a history of unrest; it was previously vandalised in November 2021, just twenty-four hours after its unveiling T

Two Indian men drowned in the Never Never River at John Locke Place Gleniffer NSW Mid North Coast during the Australia Day long weekend Sachin Khillan and Sahil Batra both in their 30s, were with their partners when a sudden strong current swept them away around 6:45 pm on Sunday, despite being in shallow water, according to family Emergency services responded, but both men could not be revived Sachin’s fiancée was injured while trying to help and is in serious condition at Coffs Harbour Health Campus 7 - 13 February

Indian symbols globally

January 22 to strengthen the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership Their agenda focuses on trade, defence, and energy, particularly as India recently negotiated its own US tariff reduction to 18% by agreeing to halt Russian oil imports

Guan Heng

Doug Burgum with wife Katherine Burgum

PM Modi with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da

Tariff down, Trade up

The 25% penalty on India for buying Russian oil has also been removed, with Trump

s t a t i n g t h a t M o d i h a d agreed to stop Russian oil imports

P M M o d i t h a n k e d Trump, calling it a significant announcement for the people of India

In his post, Trump said he was honoured to speak with Prime Minister Modi, calling him a close friend

a n d r e s p e c t e d l e a d e r H e said their talks covered trade

a n d e f f o r t s t o e n d t h e Russia-Ukraine war, adding that Modi agreed to stop b u y i n g R u s s i a n o i l a n d increase purchases from the US and possibly Venezuela

T r u m p c l a i m e d t h e m o v e would help end the war and said Modi committed to sign i f i c a n t l y b o o s t i n g “ B u y American” purchases, worth over $500 billion across sectors He added that, out of

f r i e n d s h i p a n d a t M o d i ’ s request, the two countries agreed to a trade deal with immediate effect

S o o n a f t e r T r u m p ’ s

a n n o u n c e m e n t , P M M o d i thanked him, calling him a dear friend and welcoming the reduced 18 per cent tariff on Made in India products He said cooperation between the world’s largest

d e m o c r a c i e s w o u l d c r e a t e

v a s t o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d praised Trump’s leadership on global peace, adding he looked forward to deepening bilateral ties

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also welcomed the deal, calling the ModiTrump relationship a genuine friendship with limitl e s s p o t e n t i a l T h e announcement came after

m o n t h s o f n e g o t i a t i o n s delayed by tariff disputes Trump also shared multiple posts on Truth Social relate d t o I n d i a , i n c l u d i n g images of India Gate and a m a g a z i n e c o v e r f e a t u r i n g both leaders

India’s role in the recent US trade announcement has drawn attention, but details remain unclear Trump did not specify which agricultural products India would buy, in what quantities, or under what timelines, and there’s no clarity on lower

Amit

tariffs, Russian oil purchases, or trade barrier reductions The Indian side did not address Trump’s claim that the PM had committed t o h a l t i n g R u s s i a n o i l imports or buying US products Following the remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasised that the India-Russia strategic partnership remains vital and n o t e d t h a t M o s c o w h a d heard no statements from I n d i a a b o u t s t o p p i n g Russian oil purchases

O n e t h i n g i s c e r t a i n , with these positive developments with the US, the market is likely to see notable changes, including a revival i n s t o c k s a n d g r

exports However, the true

o n l y

m e c l e a r o v e r t i m e , a n d i t r e m a i n s t o b e s e e n h o w effectively these measures

d r i v e l o n g - t e r m e c o n o m i c gains

Fiv e strategic trad e d eals

India has accelerated its t r a d e d i p l o m a c y , s i g n i n g f i v e m a j o r d e a l s i n 1 2 months with the UK, EU, Oman, New Zealand, and the US to boost exports,

a t t r a c t i n v e s t m e n t , a n d secure supply chains

T h e I n d i a - U S a g r e ement is central to this push, following high-level diplom a c y b e t w e e n P M M o d i a n d T r u m p I n F e b r u a r y 2025, they launched formal

n e g o t i a t i o n s o n a m u l t isector pact with a goal to more than double bilateral trade to around $500 billion by 2030, a target Modi calls “Mission-500 ” T h e U K d e a l r e d u c e s tariffs on textiles, leather, g e m s , a n d I T s e r v i c e s , opens financial and legal

s e r v i c e s t o B r i t i s h f i r m s , and creates mobility routes for skilled workers and stu-

dents, building on a bilateral trade of $56 billion with a goal to double it by 2030

T h e E U a g r e e m e n t , dubbed the ‘Mother of all trade deals,’ connects India to a 27-nation bloc of over 4

c

duties on over 90% of EU goods, including automo-

cals, and pharmaceuticals, while securing EU market

ments, leather, engineering products, and food items

Sensitive sectors like rice,

The pact also covers services, digital trade, investment, and regulatory cooperation, benefiting Indian IT and professional services while opening EU finance, shipping, and green tech sectors

W i t h O m a n , I n d i a strengthened energy, logistics, and investment ties,

stands at $12 billion The New Zealand deal focuses

tion, and digital trade, giving Indian IT and professional services more access while allowing controlled

bilateral trade is smaller at $2 5-3 billion but opens a gateway to the Pacific

These trade deals come

reshape trade routes New

India as a dependable man-

s hub, with the recent US

momentum to this strategy

Shah accuses Mamata Banerjee over warehouse blaze

U ni o n H o m e M i ni s ter A m

t S h ah h as l au n ch e d a bl i st eri n g at tac

M inister Mamata Banerjee, alleg ing that system ic corruption led to a fatal warehouse fire in Kolkata

Addressing a BJP Karyakarta Sammelan in North 24 Parganas, Shah declared the blaze not an accident but a result of administrative rot under the Trinamool Congress (TMC)

claimed at least 27 lives, with another 27 people reported missing Shah questioned why the factory owners remained free, suggesting their proximity to the

P

Modi set for Israel visit on February 27

N ar e nd ra

Modi is scheduled to travel to Israel on February 27 -28, marking a pivotal di plomatic return nearly nine years after his histori c 2017 mission

third term follows

formal

Modi has maintained con-

including a strategic telephone call on January 7 to d

and the Gaza Peace Plan

The summit’s primary objective is to revitalise the I n d i a - M i d d l e E a s t - E u r o p e Economic Corridor (IMEC), a t r i l l i

designed to bypass the Suez

Canal New Delhi hosted

Ministers’ meeting to strike a balancing act, discussing G

Economic ties are equally paramount; following the

E U

January 27, negotiators are

Bangladesh cancels India SEZ, deepens China ties

B a n gl a de s h ha s s c r a pp ed the land allotment for an I n d i

E

n om i c Z on e i n Chittagong and reass igned the same 850 acres to China for a drone manufacturing facility near the Indian border T h e C h i n e s e - b u i

t

n t ,

p

d t o b e g i n p r o d u c t i o n b y y e a r - e n d , will manufacture mediumr a n g e a n d V T O L d r o n e s with technology transfer to Bangladesh

This move comes alongs i d e D h a k a ’ s g r o w i n g

L N I

defence ties with Beijing, including a deal for 20 J10CE fighter jets The canc e l l e d I n d

Zone, agreed upon in 2015 u

y I

’ s line of credit, was intended to boost trade, investment, a n d m

r i n g

y I n d i a n c o m p a n i e s i n Bangladesh Under India’s LoC, 85% s o u r c i n g f r o m I n d i a w a s meant to boost exports and enable low-cost production t h r o u g h t h e I n d i a n Economic Zone in Mirsarai,

agreed in 2015 The project, however, stalled with minim a l f

n d was cancelled by the Yunusled interim government in October 2025 after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster Around the same time, Dhaka approved a $2 2 billion deal to acquire 20 Chinese J-10CE fighter jets by 2027, underscoring a broader shift toward deeper defence cooperation with C h i n a I n J a n u a r y 2 0 2 6 , Bangladesh repurposed the l a n d i n t o a D e f e n c e Economic Zone to expand domestic arms production

F O Y RY MO ME NG LOVI

Mr s Bo

ministers for the upcoming 2026 Assembly polls

Shah further claimed that the state's “Maa, Maati, Manush” slogan has been hollowed out, asserting that women are insecure and land is being ceded to infiltrators While the West Bengal Government has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for victims' families, the BJP has called for an impartial judicial inquiry into the disaster

s Gita Patel (So

orn: 10-07-1955 (Nairobi, Ke

enya)

Demise: 22-01-2026 (London, UK)

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Gita Patel, our beloved , sister wife, mother r, aunt, and friend, who passed away peacefully on 22nd , January 2026.

Gita worked for 42 years in Finance and HR at John Lewis. She loved numbers and organisation, and in retirement, applied these skills to her charity work with the Lions Club. She also cared for Ba, who had Dementia, for many years.

For the past 9 months, Gita bravely battled an aggressive cancer. Through it all, she stayed relentlessly positive, drawing strength from her spirituality wish granted - to witness her son’s marriage to Ishita, and give her aashirvaad.

she was taken from us just as she reached a time when she could rest and enjoy life with family and friends.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Chetan (husband), Shyamal (son), Ishita (daughter-in-law), Y Yogin (brother-in-law), Binta (sister-in-law), Shailesh (cousin), ogin Maheshbhai (kaka) and family

CONTTAACT: 07501 919 594 (Shyamal)

Om Namah Sivay

PM Narendra Modi gives a press conference with US president Donald Trump at the White House in 2017

Billionaire CJ Roy ends life amid tax probe

Dr C J Roy, the billionai re

c h a ir m an o f C o n fi d e nt

Grou p, d ied by su icid e in

B an g lo r e af te r rep o r ted ly

b

stress by a three-d ay Income

T ax raid

The 57-year-old tycoon shot himself in the chest with a licensed pistol inside his office in Langford Town,

officials were present on a different floor R

Kerala-based tax team for

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Kerala revives Maha Magha Mahotsavam after 250 years

re turned to the bank

of the River Bhara thapuzha

250-year hiat

tradition

The event was formally

including 12 Rolls-Royces, a

Koenigsegg Agera His social

circumstances Roy’s funeral was held with a motorcade of his favourite luxury cars leading the procession

Global Buddhist Summit showcases India’s spiritual heritage

attend ing th e Republic Day p arad e A major highlight was the visit of about 250 foreign monks and delegates to the Q i l a R a i P i t h o r a C u l t u r a l Complex, where they prayed before the Holy Relics of the Buddha Opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on

J a n u a r y 3 , 2 0 2 6 , t h e exhibition traced the history of the Piprahwa relics and I n d i a ’ s e f f o r t s t o r e c l a i m

s a c r e d a r t e f a c t s t a k e n i n 1898 Delegates called the experience deeply spiritual

a n d l a u d e d I n d i a ’ s c o m m i t m e n t t o s a f e g u a r d i n g i t s B u d d h i s t heritage

A n o t h e r h i g h l i g h t w a s the presence of about 60

m o n k s f r o m v a r i o u s c o u n t

Day parade on January 26

Their participation amid the

harmony between strength a

c and defence capabilities, the monks and nuns embodied c a l m a n d c o m p a s s i o n , reinforcing the message of D h a m m a A s e n i o r m o n k

c a l l e d t h e e x p e r i e n c e “thrilling,” while three nuns f r o m V i e t n a m l a t e r d e s c r i b e d m e e t i n g P r i m e

Minister Narendra Modi as a o n c e - i n -

- l i f e t i m e moment

Singapore grants elite recognition to India’s KMC Manipal

I n a si g n if i c ant w in fo r

I nd ian m ed ic al ed u cati on, K a st u rb a M e d i ca l C o lle g e ( KMC ), M anipal, has been o fficially recognised by the S ing apo re Medical Cou ncil ( SMC ) From February 1, KMC

M a n i p a l b e c a m e t h e o n l y I n d i a n i n s t i t u t i o n a

t

o

n

s recognised list to 120 The approval follows a stringent Ministry of Health review of i t s a c a d e m i c s t a n d a r d s , clinical training and global relevance

S

e

T h e m o v e a l i g n s w i t h S i n g a p o r e ’ s e f f o r t s t o s t r e n g t h e n i t s h e a l t h c a r e w o r k f o r c e a s i t e n t e r s a s u p e r - a g e d p h a s e A constituent of MAHE, KMC M a n i p a l r a n k s t h i r d i n I n d i a ’ s N I R F a n d i s t h e s e c o n d - h i g h e s t r a n k e d Indian medical school in the Q S W o r l d U n i v e r s i t y R a n k i n g s 2 0 2 5 T h e r e c o g n i t i o n e n a b l e s i t s g r a d u a t e s t o a p p l y f o r m e d i c a l r e g i s t r a t i o n i n S i n g a p o r

T he Holy Devnimo ri Relics o f Lord B u d d h a , a t T h e M a h ara

a S ayajirao University of Barod a, will be taken to C olo mbo, Sri L anka, for p ublic d isplay from February 41 0 and returned on February 1 1

The relics were sent by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel with a guard of honour and floral tributes, accompanied by Gujarat

For aspiring doctors, the move offers

S

y Mahamandaleshwar Swami

A n a n d a v a n a m B h a r a t h i o f the Juna Akhada, the festival is a prelude to a larger grand

performed by priests from Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple, echoing the iconic rituals of the Ganges

The revival arrives just m

Kerala Assembly Elections,

‘Shikshapatri Manthan’ book launched for youth

Sh ri S wami narayan Mand ir–K u mk u m M ani na gar h as r el e as e d S h i k s h ap a tr i Manthan Granth , authored by t h e te m p le ’ s m o ti vat i o n al s p e ak er S a d h u Premvatsaldasji, with the aim o f h el p i n g t h e yo u n ger generati on better understand th e Sh iksh apatri wri tten by Sh ri S wami narayan Bhagwan

T h e b o o k h a s b e e n p r a i s e d b y d i g n i t a r i e s

i n c l u d i n g P r i m e M i n i s t e r

N a r e n d r a M o d i a n d t h e Gujarat Chief Minister, and b l e s s e d b y P u j y a M a h a n t

S w a m i M a h a r a j , s e n i o r saints, scholars, and writers f r o m K a s h i a n d Jagannathpuri

S w a m i n a r a y a n B h a g w a n , offers timeless life lessons S h r i P r e m v a t s a l d a s j i S w a m i ’ s

O n t h e l a u n c h o f ‘Shikshapatri Manthan’, CB P a t e l , E d i t o r / P u b l i s h e r o f A s i a n V o i c e a n d G u j a r a t

S a m a c h a r , p r a i s e d t h e

S w a m i n a r a y a n s e c t ’ s l i t e r a t u r e f o r p r o m o t i n g

m o r a l i t y a n d e t h i c s H e n o t e d t h a t t h e o r i g i n a l Shikshapatri, penned by Shri

S a d h u P r e m v a t s a l d a s j i explained that Shikshapatri Manthan is divided into 25 i l l u s t r a t e d s e c t i o n s , e a c h f e a t u r i n g k e y H i n d u s c r i p t u r e r e f e r e n c e s a n d i n s p i r i n g s t o r i e s o f s a i n t s a n d d e v o t e e s , m a k i n g t h e teachings of the Shikshapatri e a s y t o u n d e r s t a n d a n d engaging He urged youth to r e a d s c r i p t u r e s r e g u l a r l y , c a l l i n g t h e m e s s e n t i a l f o r success, and cited Gandhiji, who used the Gita daily for g u i d a n c e d u r i n g d i f f i c u l t times

Seychelles President Herminie to visit India

S ey ch e ll es P re s i d en t D r Patri ck Hermin ie will make a s ta te v i s i t to I n d i a f ro m

February 5- 10 at the in vi tation of Prime M ini ster Narendra M odi

This marks his first visit since taking office in October 2025 and coincides with the 5 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o f diplomatic ties between the two nations During the visit, Herminie will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold t a l k s w i t h P M M o d i o

bilateral, regional, and global

business events The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted Seychelles as a key maritime

Global South initiatives

President Herminie’s visit t

President CP Radhakrishnan’s trip to Seychelles in October

Gujarat sends Buddha relics to Sri Lanka

Governor Acharya Devvrat, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, monks, and o

special IAF aircraft with full state honours The trip highlights India’s role as the birthplace of Buddhism and strengthens spiritual, cultural, and p

Lanka The delegation will attend

ceremonial, religious, and official events, including the exhibition i n a u

India’s Buddhist heritage

The Holy Devnimori Relics will be enshrined for public veneration at Colombo’s iconic Gangaramaya Temple

Devnimori archaeological site near

Shamlaji in Gujarat, first excavated in 1957 by Prof S N Chowdhry, the

Buddhism in western India during the early centuries CE They are b

treasure and a living symbol of Lord Buddha’s teachings of peace, compassion, and harmony T h e S

strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations

diplomacy, strengthens people-topeople ties, and highlights shared f a i t h , h i s t o r y , a n d v a

reinforces India’s role as custodian of global Buddhist heritage, fosters regional harmony, and enhances b

e complementing formal diplomatic engagement in South Asia

Shikshapatri Manthan

Dr Patrick Herminie

O L D A N D S I L V E R

plunge after record rally

Gold and silver prices have experienced sharp s wi ngs in recent days, tumbling on 30 January and 2 February

af t e r s oa r i ng to r e c or d hi ghs over the past year

Traditionally regarded as a safe store of value,

t h e s e m e t a l s a t

a c t investors during periods of economic uncertainty and

g e o p o l i t i c

n s i o n I n India, cultural occasion’s

f u r t h e r b o o s t d e m a n d , with an estimated 4 6-4 8 million weddings expected

early 2026

M

return of Donald Trump,

policies, including tariffs,

e d e r a l

R e s e r v e , a n d r e m a r k s

a b o u t G r e e n l a n d , h a v e u n s e t t l e d i n v e s t o r s a n d weakened the US dollar,

i n c r e a s i n g t h e a p p e a l o f “safe haven” assets Between Trump’s inauguration and January 2026, gold prices nearly doubled while silver surged almost fourfold After a sharp cor-

r e c t i o n , g o l d s e t t l e d a t

1 57 lakh (£1,271) per 10 grams on 3 February, while

silver closed at 2 84 lakh ( £ 2 , 3 0 0 ) p e r k g T h e

r e b o u n d c a m e a f t e r

intense profit-taking, duri n g w h i c h s i l v e r h a d slumped nearly 36 per cent from its January 29 peak of 4 04 lakh (£3,272) per kg, a n d g o l d h a d d r o p p e d about 17 per cent from its record high of 1 83 lakh (£1,482) per 10 grams

A n a l y s t s s u g g e s t t h e m e t a l s ’ r a l l y r e f l e c t s a deeper global crisis of confidence after years of high inflation and rising national debts, with the US debt

r e a c h i n g $ 3 8 t r i l l i o n

Central banks in emerging

e c o n o m i e s , i n c l u d i n g China and Turkiye, have also boosted purchases to reduce dependence on the dollar, supporting demand for gold and silver despite short-term volatility

L a s t F r i d a y , T r u m

Federal Reserve, a relativel y c o n v e n t i o n a l c h o i c e compared with others on his shortlist Warsh, a for-

m e r F e d g o v e r n o r , r e a ssured investors concerned that Trump might choose an ally who would slash r a t e s d e s p i t e i n

risks, as he had been pressuring outgoing Fed chief Jerome Powell to cut rates T

hopes for a deal with Iran

greater economic stability

a n d a s t r o n g e r

prompted investors to sell off precious metals

Recent reports indicate that gold and silver are facing near-term downward p

hikes and market volatilit y , t h o

much of the decline as a correction rather than a

haven demand or geopolit-

n expects central bank and investor demand to push gold to $6,300 per ounce by year-end, citing ongoing structural diversification and real-asset outperformance Silver, trading around $80 an ounce since D

JPMorgan expects silver to maintain a higher floor of $75-$80 per ounce, even after its recent catch-up gains to gold

India, Arab League back Palestine, condemn terror

In d i a an d A rab L eag u e natio ns o u tlined a sh ared vision for stronger ties, reaffi rm in g su p p o r t fo r a sovereign, viable Palestinian state living alongsid e Israel and stressing th e need to uphold th e U N Charter in internatio nal relations

A

rorism and called for coordinated action to dismantle t

c u r b financing and bring perpetrators to justice The Indiahosted meeting, attended by 19 Arab League members, i s s u e d a j o i n t d e c l a r a t i o n backing India’s fight against t e r r o r i s m , i n c l u d i n g a strong denunciation of the Pahalgam attack

The declaration said discussions covered key regional and global issues, including Palestine, multilateralism, respect for sovereignty, c

Council reforms, while reaffirming a shared commitment to international peace and security India and the Arab League also stressed that international relations must be grounded in the UN Charter and reiterated support for a just and lasting Middle East peace, including a sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders living alongside Israel

Lok Sabha adjourned amid Rahul Gandhi-China row

T h e L ok S ab h a w as adjourned fo r the day after re p ea ted d i s ru p t io n s o v e r

C o n g re ss l ea d er Ra h u l Gandh i’ s attem pts to raise the C hina issue

Despite multiple warnings from Speaker Om Birla, Gandhi kept referring to a book by former Army chief Manoj Naravane, ‘Four Stars o f D e s t i n y ’ , w h i c h i s n o t available in India The house had already been adjourned twice earlier for the same r e a s o n , a n d C o n g r e s s accused the Modi government of deliberately heckling Gandhi to prevent him from speaking Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged t h a t t h e g o v e r n m e n t d e p l o y e d s e n i o r C a b i n e t ministers and misused parliamentary rules to “silence” Rahul Gandhi, fearing exposure of its “incompetence ” In a post on X, he claimed the government had tried to block Naravane’s book and was now reacting defensivel

resorting to heckling to prev e n

Opposition from speaking W

resumed for the third time, Gandhi cited “national security,” drawing cheers from C

over the House, intervened,

rules, with Defence Minister

Minister Amit Shah questioning the authenticity of the book he cited Gandhi then remarked, “The Prime Minister has escaped Amit Shah has escaped,”

Minister Kiren Rijiju

and after further references to the former Army chief, the House was adjourned for the third and final time

Rahul Gandhi faces BJP fire over Republic Day protocol

During the Pres ide nt ’ s ‘At Home’ rece ption at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Republic Day , Congress leader and Leader of Oppos ition Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress pr esident M

where

veral minister s and EU leaders were seat ed, and exchanged br ief greet ings

While Kharge greeted Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Gandhi’s interaction reportedly declined, with videos of the moment circulating online

During the event, another political row erupted, with the BJP accusing Gandhi of disrespecting the Northeast by allegedly refusing to wear the traditional Assamese gamosa or patka at the reception The event followed a Northeastthemed celebration, with dignitaries including President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and foreign diplomats wearing the patka as a mark of cultural respect

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of refusing to wear the patka despite reminders, calling it i

Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP spokesperson Shehzad P

“shameful” and alleging disrespect to the region and the President

Mumbai hosts successful LIBF Expo 2026

T h e th r ee- d a y L o h a na

I n ter nat io n al B u si n es s F o ru m (L IB F) Ex p o 20 2 6, o rganised by S hree L ohana M ah ap a ri s h ad , co n cl u d ed successfully, m arking a significant m ilesto ne in global busi ness collabo ration and netwo rking

Held from 30 January to 1 February 2026, the Expo

b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r o v e r 2 5 , 0 0 0 a t t e n d e e s , p a r t i c ipants from more than 30 countries and featured 250+ exhibition stalls, making it one of the most impactful international business platforms hosted in Mumbai

T h e e v e

f

a t u r e d

v i b r a n t e x h i b i t i o n w i t h leading brands, innovators and industry experts, creating a strong platform for

mended the roles of Egypt, Qatar and the US, and called for full implementation of

reconstruction in Gaza The

deeper cooperation in energy, digital, health and educa-

attacks on

protecting key sea routes is a shared global responsibility, alongside a renewed push f

and business growth High-

interactive sessions alongside the exhibition offered valuable insights into industry trends and global opportunities

The Expo also brought together global delegations, e n a b l i n g m e a n i n g f u l c o nversations and cross-border partnerships Industry leaders, entrepreneurs and pro-

fessionals engaged in discussions that helped turn ideas into real business opportunities The event concluded by r e c o g n i s i n g v i s i o n a r i e s , changemakers and businesses for their contributions to i n n o v a t i o n , p r o g r e s s a n d leadership across industries

A detailed report will be p u b l i s h e d i n n e x t w e e k ’ s edition

IndiGo, Air India planes clip wingtips

incident involved IndiGo flight

w h i c h w a

i o n a r y o n the taxiway awaiting departure IndiGo said its aircraft’s w i n g t i p b r u s h e d a n o t h e r plane during taxiing after l a n d i n g A l l p a s s e n g e r s were safe and disembarked normally, and the aircraft has been taken in for maintenance checks The airline added that authorities were informed and an investigation is underway, reiterating that safety remains its top priority A i r I n

checks A l l p

As

precaution,

n t s are being made to fly them to their destination The incident, which occurred at C

Airport, has been reported

AI 2732 was delayed after its aircraft made contact with another airline’s plane while waiting on the t a x i w a y ,

and is under investigation

Rahul Gandhi

Palestine FM Varsen Aghabekian with PM Modi

LIBF committee members and dignitaries present at the event

Military bands captivate at Beating Retreat Ceremony

T h e B ea ti ng R etr eat c er em

m arking th e conclusion of the 7 7th

R

held at V ijay C howk in New Delhi

i n th e p res en

Droupadi Murmu, Vice-Presid ent

C P Ra d h

M inister Narend ra M odi, Defence

M inister Rajnath Sing h and o ther U nion Ministers

In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi said the ceremony

r

heritage and expressed pride in the

Rajnath Singh called it

e d

c o m p o s i t i o n s i n c l u d i n g ‘Brave Warrior’, ‘Twilight’, ‘ A l e r t ’ a n d ‘ F l y i n g S t a r ’ , while the Indian Navy band

p e r f o r m e d ‘ N a m a s t e ’ , ‘ S a g a r P a w a n ’ , ‘Matribhumi’, ‘Tejasvi’ and ‘ J a i B h a r a t i ’ T h i s w a s f o l l o w e d b y t h e I n d i a n Army band’s renditions of ‘Vijayee Bharat’, ‘Aarambh

fitting

Republic Day President Droupadi Murmu described it as

performances showcased national unity, valour, and India’s cultural and martial traditions

According to the Ministry of Defence, bands from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces presented a

Anand gets 40,607 name cancellation requests

Revision (SIR) o f the v oter list in Gujarat is now in its

India A

adding names (Form-6), 1 83 lakh for deletions (Form-7), a

corrections (Form-8) The draft voter list, published

2025 The original deadline for claims and objections, 18 January 2026, was extended to 30 January 2026, after w h

Vijay Chowk The ceremony began with the Massed Bands performing

followed by melodious renditions

Sainik’, ‘Mili Jhuli’, ‘Nritya Sarita’,

Central Armed Police Forces bands played tunes such as ‘Vijay Bharat’,

Sipahi’

district-wise details of the forms received Anand received

number of forms received, f

Anand The fewest forms c a m e f r o m D a n g ( 4 , 0 0 1 ) , Narmada (7,397) and Tapi (8,099)

Gujarat police intensify fight against digital fraud

T h e A h me d a b a d C y b e r C rime Bra nch arre sted an a ccused in volved i n digi ta l f raud targeti ng an elderly man Over the past three m o n t h s , G uj a r a t ’ s cy b e r un its hav e cracked down on mule accoun ts use d for e - ch e a t i n g, f o ll o w i n g los ses of Rs 1,4 00 crore to cyb er fra ud in 2025

W h i l e c y b e r s c a m s f r o m M y a n m a r a n d Thailand were curbed last y e a r , c a l l c e n t e r s i n

Cambodia are now fueling fraud Gujarat police and c y b e r c r i m e t e a m s a r e t a r g e t i n g m u l e a c

and fake call center jobs,

o p e r a t i o n a g a i n s t t h e international cyber mafia in 2026

I n t h e N a r e s h G o y a l case, a Chinese cyber mafia gang stole Rs 7 crore from a n e l d e r l y v i c t i m , transferring Rs 1 5 crore to

their accounts Ahmedabad

C y b e r C r i m e B r a n c h arrested 12 local residents involved in laundering the money

In 2025, about 2 5 lakh people in Gujarat lost Rs 1,400 crore to cyber fraud, w i t h o p e r a t i o n s n o w linked to Cambodia, Laos, M y a n m a r , a n d T h a i l a n d While local offenders faced s t r i c t a c t i o n , t h e m a f i a masterminds remained at large

Debate continues over IndiaPakistan 2025 conflict

T h e qu es ti o n o f w h o triu mphed in the fo ur-d ay conflict betw een Ind ia and P akistan remains a subject o f intense d ebate as bo th n at io n s d raw st ark ly d ifferent lessons from the M ay 2025 skirmish

Triggered by a terrorist massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, the crisis escalated on May 7 w h e n I n d

d Operation Sindoor, striking nine jihadist infrastructure s i t

Punjab province and Azad Kashmir

According to a detailed S

January 2026, India achieved

victory

Pakistani airspace, enabling it to hit seven major targets,

Islamabad into requesting a ceasefire H o w e v e r , P a k i s t a n m a i n t a i n s i t s e c u r e d a t a

downing at least five jets, including a modern Rafale, on the conflict's first day W

H a i , P r a c h a n d H a i ’ , ‘ A y e Watan, Aye Watan’, ‘Anand M a t h ’ , ‘ S u g a m y a B h a r a t ’ and ‘Sitare Hind’ The Massed Bands performed ‘ B h a r a t K e S h a a n ’ , ‘ V a n d e

Mataram’ and ‘Drummers Call’, c o n c l u d i n g w i t h t h e b u g l e r s playing ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’

T h e c e r e m o n y w a s l e d b y p r i n c i p a l c o n d u c t

Rupachandra Singh Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and CAPF bands were conducted by Subedar Major Prakash Joshi, M Antony, Warrant

Megh alaya is a step closer to global recognition, as Ind ia has formally submitted the no m inati on of th e S tate’s l iv in g ro o t b ri d g es , ti tl ed “J ing kieng Jri / L yu C hrai

C u l tu ra l L an d s ca p e ” , to U NES CO for the 2026–27 World Heritag e ev aluatio n cycle

The dossier was handed over by India’s Ambassador t o U N E S C O , V i s h a l V Sharma, to the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage C e n t r e , L a z a r e A s s o m o Eloundou

The nominated cultural landscape spans the Khasi a n d J a i n t

t r a d i t i o n s u s t a i n e d b y indigenous communities for centuries It reflects a deep

Inspector Chetram,

This year, seating enclosures at Vijay Chowk

Trump, who claimed credit for the truce and praised

and

governance, and ecological

Central, Eastern India hit hardest by snakebite deaths

A ro un d 5 0, 0 00 p eo pl e d ie f rom s nakebites in India eac h year, nearly half of the global toll , governm ent data shows Som e estim ates are higher, with a 2 02 0 st udy sugges ting up t o 1 2 m il l ion d e a t hs between 2000 and 2 019

A GSI report found that 99% of healthcare workers in India struggle to administer a n t i v e n o m d u e t o p o o r i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , l i m i t e d s u p p l i e s a n d i n a d e q u a t e t r a i n i n

f 9

medical professionals across India, Brazil, Indonesia and Nigeria showed nearly half had seen treatment delays cause severe complications, i n c l u d i n g a m p u t a t i o n s o r lifelong disability T h e

snakebite envenoming

Toxic martian chemical may help build space bricks

over 100,000 deaths, mostly in poor rural communities

more unpredictable

Glimpses of Beating Retreat Ceremony at Vijay Chowk

Modi attends Beating Retreat Ceremony at Vijay Chowk

President Droupadi Murmu with Modi at Beating Retreat Ceremony

Grand celebrations of the 92nd birthday of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj

The grand finale of the 92nd Janma Jayanti Mahotsav of Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of BAPS, concluded in Vadodara after five months of celebrations

T

stature, and selfless service, while senior swamis delivered inspiring discourses on his life, virtues, and

c

Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, were warmly welcomed

Officials from Guinness World

Mahant Swami Maharaj during the celebrations

I n s p i r e d

Maharaj, over 15,000 BAPS children aged 3 to 13 completed the full Sanskrit recitation of the 315shloka Satsang Diksha scripture within a year This rare achievement saw 15,666 children collectively chant the entire scripture, with 12,723 present at the venue a n d o f f i c i a l l y r e c o g n i s e d b y Guinness World Records

On the occasion, a greeting letter from Union Home Minister Shri Amitbhai Shah was read out G u j a r a t C h i e f M i n i s

Bhupendrabhai Patel and Madhya

P r a d e s h C h i

M

Mohan Yadav also conveyed their

best wishes and received blessings

j Referring to Jabalpur, the birth-

Maharaj blessed everyone, encouraging them to lead an elevated spiritual life He highlighted the

place of Mahant Swami Maharaj, CM Yadav expressed pride and joy D

pushpanjali, and the celebrations culminated in a grand collective

legacy of the Sanstha, saying it was established by Shastriji Maharaj, nurtured by Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and is rooted in unity, understanding, and principled action He noted that the Guinness World Records

Maharashtra mourns the loss of their own “Ajit Dada”

I nd ia’ s poli tic al la nds ca pe has been rocked by the s udden death of Aji t Pawar, the Deputy C hi ef Min ister of M aharashtra, who peris hed i n a horror aviati on ac ciden t on January 2 9 The 66-year-old leader was killed when his chartered Learjet 45XR crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in challenging conditions The aircraft, flying from Mumbai, burst into flames following a second landing approach

T r a g i c a l l y , a l l o t h e r s o n board were also killed: his s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r , V i d i p J a d h a

P i n k y M a l i , a n d p i l o t s

S u m i t K a p o o r a n d

S h a m b h a v i P a t h a k T h e nation honoured the victims with a state funeral, w h i l e P r i m e M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi described the loss as a void that cannot be filled, as national f l a g s f l e w a t h a l f - m a s t across the country

A j i t P a w a r w a s a formidable force and the nephew of NCP patriarch

Sharad Pawar Known for his administrative grit, he served as the state's Finance M i n i s t e r m u l t i p l e t i m e s , presenting a record number of budgets He was the p r i m a r y a r c h i t e c t b e h i n d the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), which anchored the r u l i n g M a h a y u t i a l l i a n c e H i s f i n a l m e m o r i a l w a s h e l d a t h i s a n c e s t r a l stronghold of Baramati In a p o i g n a n t c e r e m o n y attended by thousands, his a s h e s w e r e i m m e r s e d , marking the end of an era for a leader affectionately called "Dada" by his loyal supporters

Sunetra Pawar as new deputy C M In a swift political transi-

Sunetra Pawar was sworn in

c appointment makes her the first woman to hold the post

Bhavan, she vowed to uphold her husband’s legacy and fulfil the party’s mandate While her elevation cons o l i d a t

base, she faces the immediate challenge of leading the

tragedy

efforts of the children and dedicated it to all gurus, sadhus, volun-

teers, and parents who contributed to this achievement T h

swamis and nearly two lakh devotees Planning and preparations s

Modi ally proposes social media age limit

An ally of Prime Mi nister N a re n d ra M od i ha s pr oposed a bill to ban soc ial media for chi ldren, joini ng a g lo ba l d eb a te o n i ts impact on youth health and safety

L a w m a k e r L S K

Devarayalu said that Indian c h i l d r e n a r e b e c o m i n g

a d d i c t e d t o s o c i a l m e d i a , while India is a major source

o f d a t a f o r f o r e i g n p l a tf o r m s “ T h e s e c

u s e t h i s

a t o b u i l d advanced AI, turning Indian users into unpaid contribut o r s w h i l e b e n e f i t s a r e

gained elsewhere,” he said The move mirrors global trends: Australia recently b a n n e d s o c i a l m e d i a f o r u n d e r - 1 6 s , F r a n c e f o r u n d e r - 1 5 s , w h i l e t h e U K , Denmark, and Greece are exploring similar measures

M e t a h a s s u p p o r t e d p a r e n t a l o v e r s i g h t b u t w a r n e d t

unregulated platforms India, with 750 million smartphones and a billion internet users, is the world’s second-largest smartphone market and a key growth

area for social media,

Yumnam Khemchand Singh named as Manipur CM

mal engine parameters were observed during the flight or engine start Inspections conf i r m e d b o t h f u e l

s inspections of its Boeing 787s f o u n d n o p r o b l e m s F u e l switches, typically guarded to p r e v e n t a c c i d e n t a l m o v ement, remain under scrutiny after last June’s Ahmedabad crash that killed 260 people when fuel was cut post takeoff The DGCA said no abnor-

Dignitaries honouring His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj

HH Mahant Swami maharaj being welcomed onto the stage

HH Mahant Swami Maharaj being presented the certificate

GWR Adjudicator with Balaks and Balikas

Ajit Pawar Sunetra Pawar

Yumnam Khemchand

‘Schitt’s Creek’ star Catherine O’Hara dies at 71

Actor Catherine O’Hara, best known for her roles in ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Home Alone’, has died at 71, TMZ reported, citing two sources

Her agency, CAA, said Catherine O’Hara died after a brief illness Page Six reported that she was taken to a Los Angeles hospital in serious condition early Friday after paramedics respond-

e d t o a m e d i c a l a i d c a l l a t h e r

B r

cause of death has not been confirmed

O’Hara was born with dextrocardia with situs inversus, a rare condition in which the heart and other organs are reversed but typically causes no symptoms

In a May 2025 interview, O’Hara said she had contracted Covid-19 while filming Apple TV+’s The Studio but continued working She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bob Welch, and their sons, Matthew and Luke Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, O’Hara rose to prominence as an origin a l c a s t m e m b e r o f t h e C a n a d i a n sketch series SCTV, where her sharp celebrity impressions became iconic She later gained wide acclaim for film roles in ‘Beetlejuice’, ‘The Nightmare

B e f o r e C h r i s t m a s ’ , a n d ‘Frankenweenie’, and for her collaborations with Christopher Guest in mockumentaries such as ‘Best in Show’ and ‘A Mighty Wind’

Priyanka Chopra Jonas to headline Harvard India Conference 2026

Global

icon and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to headline the 23rd edition of the India Conference at Harvard University on February 14–15

This prestigious student-led event, hosted at the Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will center on the theme “The India We Imagine ” Chopra will lead a fireside chat alongside her long-time manager and cultural strategist, Anjula Acharia, exploring India’s soft power and its evolving role in the global entertainment landscape

The conference features a high-profile line-up, including Dr Shashi Tharoor, who will deliver the keynote address on India's constitutional and democratic vision Other distinguished speakers include academic Amitav Acharya, Olympic champion PV Sindhu, fashion mogul Manish Malhotra, and singer Sid Sriram Through over 30 panels, the event aims to bridge the gap between India's heritage and its future in technology, policy, and business

Farhan Akhtar pauses ‘Don 3’ for ‘Jee Le Zaraa’

In a major shift for Bollywood’s production landscape, Farhan Akhtar has reportedly paused Don 3 to fast-track his all-female roadtrip film, Jee Le Zaraa Industry reports confirmed that the director is re-initiating talks with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt

T

sudden departure from the Don franchise, which occurred shortly after his spy-thriller Dhurandhar’ hit the 1,000 crore mark in early January 2026

The revival comes five years after the film was first announced in 2021 While casting for Don 3 remains stalled following

Massey, Akhtar aims to lock the dates of his

Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh remains in the eadlines for both his record-breaking sucess and a recent legal row An FIR was regisred against him on January 28 in Bengaluru

reportedly mocked the Daiva tradition at the 25 International Film Festival of India FFI) Despite the legal trouble, Ranveer is set to dominate the box office again with the release of ‘Dhurandhar 2 ’ on March 19 Fans of Don are now speculating if hah Rukh Khan might return to the role, but for now, the director’s focus is firmly on bringing India’s biggest female stars together for their long-awaited journey on wheels

Margot Robbie sparks controversy with iconic Elizabeth Taylor necklace

Margot

Robbie turned heads at the Los Angeles premiere of Wuthering Heights, pairing her Schiaparelli couture gown with Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic heart-shaped diamond necklace Set on a gold-andruby Cartier chain and valued at about $8 million ( 74 crore), the jewel was gifted to Taylor by Richard Burton on her 40th birthday Robbie said the necklace “felt filled with romantic history” and was perfect for the evening.

The heart-shaped, table-cut stone bears a Parsi inscription reading “Love is Everlasting” and is linked to Mughal empress Nur Jahan Historians believe it once belonged to Emperor Shah Jahan, tying it to India’s imperial past and earning it the name the Taj Mahal Diamond

Cartier acquired the gem in 1971 and redesigned it for modern wear, setting it with red gemstones, tablecut diamonds and jade, and suspending it from an Indian silk cord The necklace was presented to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton a year later, with Taylor famously declaring, “I love this, tell me more about it ”

Margot Robbie’s decision to wear the necklace, however, sparked criticism in India Several social media users called it “stolen property” and demanded the jewel be returned One commenter, claiming descent from Mughal empress Nur Jahan, said it was “sickening” to see the necklace referred to as Elizabeth Taylor’s, while others accused Robbie of ignorance and disrespect toward the jewel’s historical origins

Atlee hails Deepika Padukone as lucky star

Director Atlee has officially confirmed Deepika Padukone as his lucky star as production intensifies for his latest pan-Indian blockbuster, tentatively titled AA22xA6

The filmmaker revealed that Padukone will lead alongside Allu Arjun in their highly anticipated first project marks Padukone’s significant retu following her maternity break, with Atlee transformative, action-oriented role that previous work in their record-breaking hi

The film is described as a tech-heavy s featuring a dual-world narrative that blen Indian heritage with futuristic global influ on an unprecedented scale, the productio stellar ensemble cast including Kajol, Rash Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor, and Jim Sarbh

Extensive visual effects work is already underway, with the team reportedly enduring "sleepless nights" to prepare for formal title reveal scheduled for March 2026

This venture coincides with a surge in high-budget Indian cinema; while Atlee develops ‘AA22xA6’, contemporary SS Rajamouli has confirmed his epic Varanasi will release on April 7, 2027 Following Allu Arjun’s global success with ‘Pushpa 2 ’ , this new alliance is projected to be one of the most technologically advanced and expensive Indian film ever produced

Arvind Swamy recalls his struggle with paralysis

Actor Arvind Swamy has opened up about a traumatic spinal injury in 2005 that left him partially paralysed and bedridden for nearly two years

Speaking at a recent Indian Film Festival of M January 2026, the ‘Roja’ s spent 18 months in excru after choosing to avoid s changed when he met an practitioner from Kerala remarkably, helped him within just three days of treatment

Swamy described the profound mental battle, he used puzzles and ches keep his mind active while his mobility was restricted As a single father to young children at the time, he focused on being pain-free rather than rushing back to the spotlight It was only after 13 years away from the screen that director Mani Ratnam persuaded him to return for the 2013 film ‘Kadal’

Though the actor credits Ayurveda for his recovery, he urged others to follow professional medical adv acknowledging that ther lot of wisdom in both Allopathy and Ayurveda

‘Coolie’ lost millions following Censor Board dispute

Director

Lokesh Kanagaraj has revealed that his Rajinikanth-led blockbu suffered a staggering 50 c loss due to its A rating.

Speaking to the press, filmmaker explained that t Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) initia demanded 35 cuts to grant certificate Kanagaraj refus opting for an uncut A-rate version to preserve his crea vision, despite the financia restricted audience

The film became a mas grossing over Rs 500 crore worldwide However, the director noted that the board’s primary objection was an intense scene depicting electric crematio which officials deemed too graphic for younger viewer While the production team to mute nine words, they f physical cuts would have f diluted the narrative impa

The controversy comes prepares to direct Allu Arju year, followed by the highl anticipated ‘Kaithi 2 ’ with also confirmed a cameo in final film, ‘Jana Nayagan’, w currently navigating its ow censorship hurdles Despit reviews from critics, the di decision, prioritising cinem the estimated Rs 40–50 cro friendly rating might have

Shruti Haasan recalls battle with crippling anxiety

Actor and musician Sh a difficult period in h made it impossible to han

Speaking to The Ho Haasan reflected on her year hiatus from the film revealed that the break w recalibrate her mental h was previously unsure o purpose

During her time awa moved to London, wher independent music and reliance "Rediscovering through music alone in London was an amazing time," she shared, recalli the therapeutic nature o simple chores like laund and navigating the Tube

The 40-year-old star currently enjoying a professional peak Her first-look poster for the Dulquer Salmaan-led drama Aakasamlo Oka Tara was released on January 28, portraying her as a bold, intense science teacher Fans can also look forward to her upcoming projects, including the Tamil thri Train and the highly anticipated sequel ‘Salaa 2 – Shouryanga Parvam’ scheduled for a Novemb 2026 release

RASHMIKA MANDANNA denies wedding rumours

Social media was abuzz with rumours that actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda were set to marry on February 2 in Udaipur However, Rashmika has now put the speculation to rest, clarifying in a statement quoted by Bollywood Hungama that there is no wedding planned on that date

The rumour started after a Udaipur-based influencer spotted elaborate wedding decorations at the City Palace and assumed the

couple was tying the knot, a claim that quickly went viral before being denied

After Rashmika dismissed the February 2 rumours, fresh reports from 123 Telugu claimed the couple may instead tie the knot on February 26 at a well-known palace in Udaipur The wedding is said to be a low-key destination affair, attended only by close family, select relatives and a few industry friends, with the couple reportedly keen on keeping media away A

G R A M M Y 2026

Historic night for music and culture

Bad Bunny made history at the 68th Grammy Awards by becoming the first Latin artist to win album of the year for ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’. The Puerto Rican star beat nominees including Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Tyler, the Creator.

K e n d r i c k L a m a

t night at the Grammys, winning five awards, including record of the year with SZA for Luther, and surpassing JayZ to become the most awarded rapper in Grammy history with 27 wins

Lady Gaga also shone, with Mayhem and Abracadabra earning four Grammys, including best pop vocal album and best

d

Cirkut added to the celebrations by winning producer of the year (non-classical)

Billie Eilish claimed song of the year for Wildflower, her third win in the categor

Olivia Dean was named best new artist Justin Bieber went winless despite four

grand reception is, however, expected to be held later in Hyderabad

Rashmika had earlier addressed marriage speculation in a December 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying she neither wanted to confirm nor deny the rumours In the same conversation, she spoke about maintaining a work-life balance, sharing that she largely avoids discussing work at home and prefers to fully switch off once she’s back in her personal space

gown, while Raja Kumari stunned in a

statement earrings, sunglasses, and a black bindi Singer Lara Raj added a cultural touch alongside girl group Katseye, accessorising her embellished white outfit with traditional jewellery, including a signature ‘Om’ necklace and maang tikka

nominations but performed ‘YUKON’, and Joni Mitchell won best historical

The Grammys 2026 also delivered

Lady Gaga’s dramatic black gown to coordinated black looks by Justin and Hailey Bieber and Tyla’s flapper-style dress Indian fashion made its mark with Sabyasachi creations

Kelsea Ballerini wore Sabyasachi fine

Dalai Lama wins first-ev er Gram my A ward

The Dalai Lama won his first Grammy at the 68th awards in Los Angeles, taking home Best Audio Book,

Recording for ‘Meditations:

Holiness the Dalai Lama’

features his reflections on

mindfulness

The Dalai Lama said he sees the award as a recognition of shared global responsibility, rather than a personal honour, and hopes it will amplify messages of peace, compassion, environmental care and human

global honours including the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize and the 2012 Templeton Prize Produced by Kabir Sehgal, the project features sarod maestro Ustad

Amjad Ali Khan with his sons Amaan

American saxophonist Ted Nash, singer Debi Nova, and percussionist-composer Tony Succar

Aamir Khan visits Arijit after singing retirement

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan visited ace singer Arijit Singh at his hometown of Jiaganj in West Bengal, days after Arijit announced his retirement from playback singing

Sunday and was spotted smiling at p

dence Despite efforts to keep the visit low-key, photos and videos, including images of Aamir flying a kite on Arijit’s rooftop, soon surf

glimpse as the two reportedly spent time together over lunch and a private conversation

Explaining his decision, Arijit said there wasn’t a single reason behind it, but a culmination of factors he had been considering for a long time He admitted to getting bored easily

and feeling creatively exhausted, saying he now wants to explore different kinds of music

He also expressed a desire to make space for new talent that could inspire him Last week, Arijit announced on Instagram that he would stop taking new playback singing assignments, thanking fans for their immense love and calling his journey a wonderful one

Shots fired at Rohit Shetty’s Juhu home, five held

Abike-borne gunman fired five rounds at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu bungalow shortly after midnight, but no one was injured, police said. Shetty and his family were at home at the time

Within hours, four men from Pune were arrested, while a fifth has been served a notice for questioning The motive remains unclear, as Shetty had reportedly received no prior threats or extortion demands

Gangster Shubham Lonkar, allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, later claimed

responsibility in a social media post, warning Rohit Shetty and the film industry Police said the claim is being verified and it is still unclear which of the arrested men fired the shots

Investigators said the gunman rode from Pune, fired five rounds at Shetty’s Juhu home and abandoned the Puneregistered bike about 2 km away CCTV footage helped trace his movements, and the bike, owned by one of the detained suspects, led police to the others

Police are probing possible motives, including Shetty’s upcoming films or his close ties with senior officers

Security at his residence has been tightened and forensic teams examined the spot, where guards heard bullets strike the first floor and outer wall A wider gang angle is also under investigation, though no direct link has been found so far with the Baba Siddiqui murder case

Shetty is cooperating with Mumbai police and recording his statement

Despite increased security, he has asked industry friends not to visit his home and is responding to their concerns only through calls and messages

India wrap up series with victory over New Zealand

A f t er Vi s ak h ap a tn am , I n d i a bo u n ce d b ac k i n

T h i r u v a n a n t h a p u r a m ,

wi th I shan Kis han hitti ng

a m aid en T2 0I centu ry

(103 of f 4 3) to power Indi a

t o 27 1 / 5, s u p p o rt ed b y S uryakumar, H ard ik, and

A b h i s h e k, w h i l e

A r s h d e ep t o o k f i ve

wi ckets

Kishan’s remarkable

c o m e b a c k a f t e r t w o

y e a r s o u t o f t h e

spotlight boosts his chances of making India’s XI for the

T 2 0 W o r l d C u p

February 7

Kishan (103 off 43 balls, 6×4, 10×6) dazzled a nearcapacity crowd, while local star Sanju Samson faltered

o n c e a g a i n S a m s o n w a s out for a third-over duck, edging Lockie Ferguson to B e v o n J a c o b s a t d e e p

backward point, ending a disappointing home debut, h i s f i r

match in India since 2015 A

cover but fell to Ferguson, m

w Zealand appearance in over a year

Suryakumar Yadav then

joined Kishan, initially

accelerating to his third fifty of the series (63 off

, 4 × 4 , 6 × 6 ) , forming a 137-run third-

Kishan off just 57 balls

midwicket, showcasing exquisite strokeplay

returned to wicketkeeping,

made an impact with 80 off 38 balls, adding 100 for the second wicket with Rachin

Arshdeep Singh took five wickets as India sealed a perfect night

Pakistan to skip T20 World Cup match against India

P akis tan has co nfirm ed it

ag ai nst I ndi a i n the 20 26

IC C M en ’ s T20 World Cup, the gov ernm ent announced

o n X W h i l e a p p r o v i n g t h e team’s participation in Sri

L a n k a , P a k i s t a n s a i d i t would boycott the February 1 5 G r o u p A c l a s h a g a i n s t

I n d i a , w i t h o u t c i t i n g a reason

“ T h e P a k i s t a n C r i c k e t

Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on

1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 6 a g a i n s t India,” the statement read The ICC responded, calling

s e l e c t i v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n “difficult to reconcile” with t h e p r i n c i p l e t h a t a l l

q u a l i f i e d t e a m s c o m p e t e equally, and said it awaits o f f i c i a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n from the PCB

The ICC said selective p a r t i c i p a t i o n u n d e r m i n e s t o u r n a m e n t f a i r n e s s a n d urged the PCB to consider i t s l o n

successful T20 World Cup P

Mohsin Naqvi questioning the event after Bangladesh was removed over security

concerns in India on January 24 Pakistan had supported a neutral venue and accused the ICC of double standards, leaving the final decision to the government

T

match is one of the world’s m o s

y lucrative Broadcasters pay heavily for these games, and a cancellation would cause major financial losses

First Indian girl wins Australian Open U14 trophy

Jensi Kanabar made h istory as the first I ndian female to wi n th e Au s t ra li a n O p e n U1 4 title Th e 14- year-o ld staged a stunning comebac k i n th e f i n al , de f ea ti n g Australia’s Musemma Cilek 3-6, 6-4, 6- 1, overturning a 0-2 deficit with remarkable comp osure agai nst a strong o p p o n en t a nd a p ar ti s a n h ome crowd Kanabar dominated the 2026 Australian Open AsiaP a c i f i c E l i t e 1 4 & U n d e r Trophy, topping Group A with a perfect 3-0 record She began with a 6-4, 6-2 w i n o v e r N e p a l ’ s S h i

Gurung, followed by 7-5, 6-

round-robin with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over New Zealand’s Jocelyn Ke

rounds In the semi-final against Japan’s Aoi Yoshida, s h

tiebreak 7-6(3) and sealed the match 6-2 to reach the

against Cilek to claim the historic title

The Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy, launched in 2020 by the Asian Tennis F

Australia and resumed in 2023 after a Covid hiatus, s

champion, following Arnav Paparkar’s boys’ title win in 2024

Bangladesh shooters cleared to travel to India

B ang lad es h s h o o ter s w i l l travel to India for the Asian

R if le a nd P i st o l

C h a m p i o ns h i p s i n N ew

D el h i, d ay s af te r D h ak a d eclined to send its men ’ s c ri ck et t eam fo r th e T 2 0

World C up citing security concerns

Despite an independent

a s s e s s m e n t f i n d i n g n o credible threat and repeated a s s u r a n c e s f r o m t h e I C C , t h e B a n g l a d e s h C r i c k e t Board sought to move its m a t c h e s o u t o f I n d i a , l e a d i n g

replacing Bangladesh in the tournament In contrast, the B

E lena Rybakina claimed h er f ir s t Au s tr al ian O p e n t itl e , defeating Aryna Sabalenka 64, 4- 6, 6- 4 Fo ur years ago, sh e l ost the final after w inning th e first set T his time, af ter taking the op ening s et and f al l i ng 3 - 0 in t h e t h i rd , Rybakina rall ied to w in five s traight games and sealed th e victory with an ace on h er f irs t ch ampionsh ip p oint

T h e f i f t h

R y b a k i n a , w h o w o n Wimbledon in 2022, became the first player since 2008 to r e a c h a G r a n d S l a m f i n a l without dropping a set, with S a b a l e n k a u l t i m

y succumbing under the Rod Laver Arena roof as Rybakina dominated early The Kazakh fifth seed’s

M

h a m m

d Aminul Ahsan as saying the approval came at the “11th hour” since shooting is an indoor sport with minimal s e c u r i t y r i s

S i n g h s a

I n d i a h a d n

c o n c e r n s , n o t i n g a l l mandatory clearances were obtained and Bangladesh’s e n t r y f o l l o w e d s t a n d a r d procedure

has now cleared a shooter and a coach to travel, stating the championship venue is “fully secured ” Bangladesh’s Youth and S p o r t s S e c r e t a r y M a h b u bu l - A l a m s a i d o n l y o n e shooter and a coach would travel, citing a fully secured v e n u e w i t h l i m i t e d s p e c t a t o r s a n d a s s u r a n c e s from the hosts T h e d a i l y q u o t e d N a t i o n a l S p o

Rajasthan Royals near IPL’s first $1 billion valuation

IPL su ccess has long been m easured by trop hies, but s o ari n g v al u ati o n s ar e i nc re as i ng l y s h a p in g t h e narrativ e R a j a s t h a n R o y a l s a r e emerging as the face of the I P L ’ s v a l u a t i o n b o o m , o n course to become the first f r a n c h i s e w o r t h o v e r $ 1 billion (around ₹9,215 crore) D e s p i t e u n e v e n o n - f i e l d results in recent seasons, the f r a n c h i s e h a s a t t r a c t e d s t r o n g g l o b a l i n v e s t o r interest, with bids already c r o s s i n g t h e b i l l i o n - d o l l a r

mark

Sources say four bidders have submitted offers in the $1 1–$1 3 billion range for the Royals, who are owned by Emerging Media Ventures along with RedBird Capital and Tiger Global Interested p a r t i e s i n c l u d e e x i s t i n g investor Kal Somani, Times

I n t e r n e t , B l a c k s t o n e a n d Carlyle

On the cricketing front, RR’s record has been mixed C h a m p i o n s

have reached only

Mumbai began shakily, losing three wickets for 44 r u n s , b u t L a d j o i n e d M u s h e e r K h a n t o a d d 6 3 runs, with Musheer reaching fifty to steady the innings As stand-in captain, Lad then forged a 136-run sixthw

Suved Parkar, bringing up his fourth consecutive firstc

Ishan Kishan

Siddhesh Lad