New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the interim trade agreement with the United States is further evidence of the international community’s growing trust in India and said the recent series of trade deals mark India’s transformation from a huge market to an investment and trade hub. “Whether it is the UK, the UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, the EU or the US, countries have concluded trade deals with India. Trust has become India’s strongest currency,” he said while speaking at an event for the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur, eliciting a roaring response from an estimated 10,000 spectators. He said India was earlier seen as a huge market but now is seen as an investment and trade hub. India is seen as a trusted growth partner, he added. The Prime Minister said the trade agreement framework reflects the deepening depth, trust and dynamism of the partnership between India and the United States. “I thank President Trump for his personal commitment to the strong relationship between our two countries,” the Prime Minister said. This reinforces’Made in IndiaProviding new opportunities to India’s hardworking farmers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, entrepreneurial innovators, fishermen, etc., and will create large-scale employment opportunities for women and youth, he added. “India and the United States share a commitment to promoting innovation and this framework will further deepen our investment and technology partnership,” he said, adding that the framework would also strengthen resilient and trustworthy supply chains and contribute to global growth. “As India moves towards building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, we remain committed to building future-proof global partnerships that empower our people and contribute to shared prosperity,” Modi said. The prime minister has been optimistic about recent trade deals, especially big-ticket deals with the EU and the United States, which he celebrated in closed-door meetings with ruling coalition lawmakers and in speeches in parliament as global recognition of India’s growing economic clout. The opposition is likely to propose a deal with the US when Parliament meets on Monday as Congress and other parties accuse the government of harming India’s interests.
‘Mixed emotions’: US ski team’s Hunter Hess says wearing flag does not mean supporting all US policies, sparking calls for Olympics boycott
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess said Friday that wearing an American flag does not mean he supports what is “going on” in the United States.Members of Team USA at the Winter Olympics spoke to reporters and said they had mixed feelings about representing Team USA. “There are mixed emotions that come with representing the United States right now,” Hess said, adding, “It’s a little difficult and there’s obviously a lot of things that I’m not the most passionate about and I think a lot of people aren’t either.” “Just because I’m wearing a flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in America.”Chris Lillis, a 2022 Olympic gold medalist and freestyle skier from Rochester, New York, also commented, tying his concerns to immigration enforcement and protests in the United States.“I’m heartbroken about what’s happening in America,” Lillis said. “I think as a country we need to focus on respecting everyone’s rights and making sure that we treat our citizens and anyone else with love and respect.”“I hope when people see athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize this is the America we want to represent,” he added.
‘Boycott the Winter Olympics ‘
The comments spread on social media, with critics accusing him of criticizing the country he was supposed to represent and saying they would boycott the Olympics, the New York Post reported.“This privileged athlete’s comments make it clear that he puts himself far ahead of his country in this game,” one user on X wrote. “His comments are an insult to Team USA and the spirit of the Olympic Games. Cut them.”Another wrote that Hess’s “whole purpose of going there was to represent America,” adding that if he had mixed feelings, “there are other skiers out there who would love to be there.”Others said the comments were enough to make them stop watching.“You know what? I’m going to go ahead and shut it down now,” one critic on X wrote on the official Olympics account.“I was planning not to watch it, now it’s a done deal!” another added.Some believe there is no choice in patriotism.“When you wear the Stars and Stripes, you represent all of us, not just the parts you like,” another commenter wrote. “‘Mixed emotions?’ Then stay home and let the people who love this country shine.”Hess, 27, is from Bend, Ore., and competes on the U.S. Freestyle Tour. He has been on the podium at the World Cup and X Games several times, and in 2017 he joined the national team and competed in halfpipe competitions.
India, US discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on key emerging defense technologies India News
NEW DELHI: India and the United States discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on “critical and emerging defense technologies” to meet evolving needs at a major meeting here, officials said.defense research and development organization They said India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) hosted the 24th India-US Joint Technical Group Plenary Meeting in New Delhi on February 3-4. The statement said that the plenary meeting was held in accordance with the vision and policy guidance of the India-US Major Defense Partnership Framework signed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in October 2025. The delegation also reviewed ongoing defense science and technology cooperation, discussed related challenges, and reviewed recommendations for further strengthening cooperation on critical and emerging defense technologies to meet changing needs.The statement further stated that discussions will also focus on strengthening the participation of university-affiliated research centres, defense laboratories and industry in collaborative research and development initiatives. In addition, the meeting also explored potential collaboration between DRDO and the Defense Innovation Unit under the Innovation Bridge framework and signed a project agreement.The meeting was co-chaired by Chandrika Kaushik, Director General (Production Coordination and Service Interaction), Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and Michael Francis Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Ministry of Defense said.
Brad Arnold: It’s all about his wife Jennifer Sandford and kids
Brad Arnold, lead singer of rock band 3 Doors Down, died Saturday after battling stage 4 clear cell kidney cancer. He is 47 years old.

The band announced his death on social media.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Brad Arnold, founder, lead singer and songwriter of 3 Doors Down, passed away on Saturday, February 7 at the age of 47,” the statement read. “He passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his loved ones, surrounded by his beloved wife and family. cancer.
“As a founding member, lead singer and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, fusing the accessibility of post-grunge with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners,” the statement continued.
“Brad’s songwriting became a cultural touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s, including the band’s breakout hit “Kryptonite,” which he wrote in math class at age 15. His musical impact extends far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith and shared experience that will live on long after he takes the stage.”
brad arnold’s wife
Brad Arnold is married to Jennifer Sandford. They tied the knot in a private ceremony in Escatopa in 2009. mississippiafter he proposed in 2008. Sandford is a professional barrel racer.
According to “Coming Soon”, the two were childhood friends and got to know each other again through a blind date. Arnold proposed by singing one of his songs, ending with: “Will you be my wife?”
This is his second marriage. He was married to Terika Roberts from 2001 until their divorce in 2007.
Does Brad Arnold have kids?
Brad Arnold and Jennifer have no children together.
Ahead of Macron’s visit, DAC may meet next week to approve deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets India News
New Delhi: Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India for the Artificial Intelligence Summit from February 18 to 20, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defense Minister Rajnath SinghA defense source told TOI that a meeting is planned to be held in the second week of this month to review the large defense procurement proposals. The most important of these is the proposal that the Letter of Acceptance Necessary (AoN) may be granted next week to purchase 114 pieces Rafale fighter jet From France at a cost of Rs 325 crore.The proposed project will procure 18 aircraft in flying condition and the remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India with up to 60% domestic content. About 80% of the 114 Rafale fighter jets planned to be purchased under the deal are planned to be manufactured in India. Sources said the Indian Air Force will procure 88 single-seater aircraft and 26 two-seater aircraft under the project, most of which will be manufactured in India in partnership with Dassault and Indian private companies.The purchase, which was approved by the Defense Procurement Council last month, will be submitted to the apex body for the next round of approval, after which the formal technical and commercial negotiation process will begin. The final form of the deal is likely to be finalized during Macron’s visit to India.The Indian Air Force currently operates about 30 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned size of 42 squadrons, at a time when threat awareness from Pakistan and China is rising. Defense analysts point to the growing strategic collusion between Pakistan and Bangladesh and Pakistan and China as a key factor exacerbating regional security concerns. After the deal is completed, the Indian Air Force will have a fleet of 150 Rafale fighters, as well as 26 Rafale fighters from the Indian Navy, which will have a carrier-compatible version of the French aircraft.Operation Sindoor demonstrated the importance of the Rafale fighter jet in offensive operations as it is equipped with deadly missiles such as Meteor, Scalp and laser-guided bombs. The Rafale project is expected to help the Indian Air Force meet its long-term needs for multi-role fighter jets above 4.5 generations.The deal is urgently needed as India is unlikely to get its new fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), in the near future as the shortlisting process for companies to build this advanced stealth fighter is still ongoing and HAL’s Tejas MkIA production plans are progressing slowly due to dependence on Tejas engines from US company GE.
An Indian man defrauded a Singaporean woman of 160,000 rupees and defrauded her of 57 yuan, claiming to buy video games.
A 31-year-old Indian man in Singapore has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for defrauding a 25-year-old woman he met on Carousell (a Singaporean e-commerce company) of more than S$268,000 (approximately Rs. 16 crore) in seven months.The man, identified as Thevendran, led the woman to believe they had a true friendship while repeatedly asking her for money for various reasons. He claimed he needed funds for court proceedings, bail, dental bills and other expenses. In fact, he used the money to support his gambling habit, Mothership reported.The scam started on July 24, 2021, when Thevendran posted a PlayStation 4 listing on Carousell. The woman paid a delivery deposit of S$150 within seven days and subsequently transferred S$49 for the game fee. She believed she paid for the PS4, but it was never delivered.After the initial transaction, Thevendran continued to message the woman via Carousell and WhatsApp. Between August 17, 2021 and January 9, 2022, he deceived her into transferring money 57 times. She had repeatedly transferred S$10,000 at his request.Thevendran knew from August 18, 2021, that the money came from the woman’s insurance and provident fund payments after her mother’s death. By December 2021, he knew she had no funds left, but he still kept asking for more money. He later refunded a total of S$5,000 in three installments. The scam was uncovered when the woman transferred S$26,000 from her father’s bank account without his knowledge, prompting a police investigation.Thevendran defrauded victims of approximately S$268,520 in total. Deputy Public Prosecutor Surya Prakash said in handing down the sentence that he continued to take action even though he knew the victim had no money left. Defense lawyers said Thevendran realized the seriousness of his actions and had undergone counseling and had not committed any offenses in the past four years.District Judge Janet Wang noted the psychological harm and financial loss suffered by the victim, adding that she found Thevendran had voluntarily repaid S$104,000, about 40 per cent of the total amount.Tevendran admitted one count of cheating at an earlier court hearing.
‘Shree Ram Mandir Mayur Vihar’: Mayur Vihar Pocket 1 metro station gets new name | India News
New Delhi: East Delhi’s Mayur Vihar Pocket 1 metro station has been renamed as Shree Ram Mandir Mayur Vihar. This station is on the Pink Line delhi metro.The renamed station connects several key areas of the capital, including Anand Vihar Railway Station, Rajouri Gardens, Rajpat Nagar and Delhi Cantonment, making it an important transit point for daily commuters.Explaining the reasons behind the name change, Sanatan Dharm Sabha Mayur Vihar chairman RP Agarwal said the demand has been pending for years.“Our committee has been working on this for the past three years. We have sent a letter to Virendra Sachdeva who forwarded it to the chief minister. This is an important achievement for us. When the metro train departs from Mayur Vihar Phase-I, we will announce that the next stop will be ‘Shree Ram Mandir Mayur Vihar’. This will increase the visibility of our Ram temple,” Agarwal said.Govind Singh Pawar, patron of Sanatan Dharm Sabha and vice-president of Delhi Senior Citizen Welfare Association, highlighting the ease of commuting, said earlier names often created confusion.“People used to confuse Mayur Vihar Phase 1 and Mayur Vihar Pocket 1. The BJP government that preached Sanatan Dharma has rectified this. The people are very happy with the decision,” he said.The name change is in line with a wider policy of changing tube station names to better reflect local character and reduce confusion for passengers. Last year, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the renaming of three metro stations to improve passenger convenience. The Pitampura metro station on the Red Line has been renamed Madhuban Chowk metro station, while the two stations on the RK Puram-Janakpuri corridor under construction will be called North Pitampura-Prashant Vihar metro station and Haiderpur Village metro station.Addressing the public at the time, Gupta said the changes were linked to local history and identity. She later wrote on X that the renaming was “for the convenience of passengers” and to clearly define the community.
Shia Muslims protest in Kashmir over deadly Islamabad mosque blast India News
Jammu: Hundreds of Shia Muslims held spontaneous protests across Kashmir on Saturday to condemn the suicide bombing at the Kadijatul Kubra Masjid in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people and injured over 169 others.The attack occurred during Friday prayers in the Pakistani capital. The attacks on Shia places of worship triggered a backlash in Kashmir, with demonstrations reported in Srinagar, Baramulla and Bandipora on Friday and Saturday.
In the central Kashmir town of Magam, female protesters raised slogans against the Pakistani government and condemned attacks on Shiite Muslims. Some demonstrators raised slogans in support of Said Hassan Nasrallah, Palestine and Hezbollah. The protests remained peaceful, with participants expressing solidarity with victims in Pakistan.“We stand with the victims and we are against the Pakistani government,” one female protester said. “We want to ask the Pakistani government why we were killed,” she added.On Friday night, all J&K Shia Association Chinabal (Patan) raised slogans against Pakistan and demanded immediate action against the culprits. They also raised pro-India slogans.Protesters held Indian tricolor flags and raised slogans against the Pakistan government in Sombal area of Ganderbal district. “Our protest is against the Pakistani government, which we hold responsible for such killings,” said another protester. “Shia Muslims are being targeted in Pakistan. It is painful to see Muslims being killed in mosques during prayers. What kind of jihad is this?”Protesters hold posters of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Atura in Baramulla. They also raised slogans against Pakistan. Police said the demonstration ended peacefully.
In Milan, where the Olympics are being held, police fired water cannons at protesters who threw smoke bombs
Emilio Parodi

MILAN – A group of about 100 protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police in the Olympic host city of Milan on Saturday after breaking away from the main body of the demonstration.
Police in riot gear and carrying shields responded with water cannon to try to disperse the group, some of whom wore bandanas and scarves covering their faces. Order was restored after a few minutes.
Police sources said six people were detained during the clashes.
An estimated 10,000 people took to the streets of Milan on the first day of the Winter Olympics in Cortina to protest against housing costs and environmental issues.
The march, organized by grassroots unions, housing rights groups and social center community activists, aimed to highlight what campaigners say is an increasingly unsustainable urban model characterized by soaring rents and rising inequality.
Security in Italy’s financial capital has been stepped up for the Olympics.
According to statistics from the Interior Ministry, the demonstration was seen as the trigger after a far-left rally in Turin turned violent last weekend, resulting in more than 100 police officers being injured and nearly 30 protesters being arrested.
Left behind by Milan’s prosperity
The Olympics end a decade of Milan’s real estate boom following Expo 2015, Italy’s tax plan for wealthy new residents and Brexit, which lured professionals to the financial capital and left local residents squeezed by soaring living costs.
Some groups also view the Olympics as a waste of public funds and resources, noting that infrastructure projects damage the environment of mountain communities.
“I’m here because these Olympics are economically, socially and environmentally unsustainable,” said Stefano Nutini, 71, standing under the banner of the Communist Party’s Ennahda party.
He believes Olympic infrastructure has placed a heavy burden on the mountain towns hosting the first widely dispersed Winter Olympic events.
The International Olympic Committee said the Games will mainly use existing facilities to make them more sustainable.
At the front of the procession, about 50 people held stylized cardboard trees representing larches that they said were cut down to build a new toboggan track in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Another banner read: “Century-old tree, survivor of two wars… sacrificed for 90 seconds of racing on $124 million bobsleigh track.”
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
