The textile industry has hailed the Interim Trade Agreement achieved between India and the United States. Director of Alok Industries Limited and President of Reliance Industries Limited, Anil Rajvanshi, said the agreement will increase business between India and the United States. He added that the deal will benefit over 4.5 crore people in the textile sector. Mr Rajvanshi also said the framework will also generate employment and boost productivity in the industry.

A weak western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir today, bringing light rain and snowfall at many places across the Union Territory. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is no forecast of any major rain or snow activity over Jammu and Kashmir till February 20. However, light snowfall is likely at a few higher reaches, followed by light rain or snow at most places today. From February 11 to February 20, weather conditions are expected to remain generally dry, with only brief spells of light snowfall at isolated higher reaches around February 14 and February 17. The western disturbance expected today is weak in nature and may cause only light precipitation, with moderate rain or snow at a few locations. Another weak western disturbance is currently expected to approach the region around February 17, though its impact is also likely to remain limited. Forecasters cautioned that the prolonged dry spell could result in a significant rainfall and snowfall deficit for February, which is otherwise a crucial month for winter precipitation in the region. Such conditions may have implications for water availability and could also trigger early blooming of trees, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.

Several Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat, suspended their services to Cuba, citing an aviation fuel shortage on the island. This suspension comes as the US tightens its grip on the nation’s oil supply by blocking shipments from Venezuela. A statement by the Air Canada airline said that it will operate empty flights to Cuba to pick up and return customers. Over the following days, the empty flights will pick up nearly three thousand passengers already at their destination and return them home. It is projected that by tomorrow, aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a Special Economic Package of 175 million dollars for the Seychelles. Addressing the Joint Press Meet after meeting the President of the Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, in New Delhi, Mr Modi said that this package will support Social Housing, E-Mobility, Vocational Training, Health, Defence, and Maritime Security. India and Seychelles have also signed 7 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, including Health, Meteorology, Electronics and Information Technology and Good Governance. The agreements include technical and scientific collaboration between the India Meteorological Department and the Seychelles Meteorological Authority. On the occasion, Mr Modi said that India and Seychelles are connected not just by geography but by history, trust and shared vision for the future. The Prime Minister added that as a maritime neighbour and trusted partner, Seychelles holds a special place in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). The Prime Minister expressed happiness over signing the MoU for the training of the Civil Servants of the Seychelles in India. Mr Modi added that under the MoU for Digital Transformation, India will share its successful experience with the Seychelles in the sector. He noted that in the health sector, India has always been a stable and trusted partner for Seychelles. Supply of affordable and quality medicine, Medical Tourism and the development of health infrastructure, India will move forward in this direction with the Seychelles. President of the Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, said that his visit reflects long-standing friendship and mutual respect between the countries. He said, both nations shares vision on cooperation over the next 5 years. Dr Herminie said that, as Indian Ocean states, maritime security and regional stability remain central to our relationship. He added that both nations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sharing successful digital solutions for digital transformation. This is President Herminie’s first visit to India since assuming office in October last year. The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Seychelles is a key maritime neighbour for India in the Indian Ocean region and holds a special place in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and its commitment to the Global South. Later in the evening, Dr Herminie will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan.

The first BRICS Sherpa Meeting commenced in New Delhi yesterday. Secretary for Economic Relations and India’s BRICS Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela highlighted key priorities of India’s Chairship based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a people-centric and humanity-first approach. He also underlined the overall theme of Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. India will chair BRICS for the fourth time this year, having previously held the Chairship in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with his Mauritian counterpart, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that during the conversation yesterday, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the special, historic and people-centric ties that unite both nations. Both leaders also reviewed progress in the wide-ranging cooperation. The Prime Minister further said that India and Mauritius will continue to work together to achieve shared objectives of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Mr Modi also said that he looks forward to welcoming Dr Ramgoolam for the AI Impact Summit next week.

Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council, CAPEXIL has hailed the Interim Trade Agreement between India and the United States. Talking to Akashvani News, CAPEXIL’s Glass Panel Chairman, Pradeep Kheruka, said, India has a large export market for perfume bottles in the United States, and the reduction in tariffs will provide a boost to the sector. Mr Kheruka added that India now faces lower tariffs compared to other countries, which will help increase exports across other trade sectors as well.

Services clinched the 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy after edging past Kerala 1-0 in the final at Dhakuakhana Stadium in Assam yesterday. The victory secured Services their eighth Santosh Trophy title. The decisive goal came deep into extra time in the 109th minute, when striker Abhishek Pawar finished calmly from a well-delivered cross by Shubham Rana. Kerala mounted sustained pressure in the closing stages, but captain and goalkeeper Gagandeep Singh organised the defence superbly to protect the narrow lead. Having last lifted the trophy in the 2023-24 season, Services repeated history by defeating Kerala once again in the final.

In Tennis, India stormed into the second round of Davis Cup Qualifiers with a historic 3-2 win over World Number 6 Netherlands in Bengaluru yesterday. Dhakshineswar Suresh delivered a heroic performance, winning both his singles matches and teaming up with Yuki Bhambri to claim the doubles. In the deciding rubber, Suresh beat Guy de Ouden 6-4, 7-6 to seal victory, earning a celebration reminiscent of Leander Paes’ heroics in 2004. Earlier, India had taken a 2-1 lead after Suresh and Bhambri won a marathon doubles match 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. However, Sumit Nagal lost both his singles matches. This is the first time India have made it to the second round of the Qualifiers since the new Davis Cup format was launched in 2019, getting a step closer to the elite eight-team Finals to contest for the title. India will be up against South Korea in the second round of the Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in September.

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, hosts Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by 20 runs in a Group B clash in Colombo last night. Put in to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 163 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Chasing the target, Ireland were bundled out for 143 in 19.5 overs. Earlier in the day, England defeated Nepal by four runs in a Group C clash in Mumbai. Opting to bat, England posted 184 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Chasing the target, Nepal managed to score 180 runs for the loss of six wickets in alloted 20 overs. In another encounter, New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in a Group D clash in Chennai. Today’s fixtures feature Scotland against Italy in Group C at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, at 11 AM, while Zimbabwe will take on Oman in Group B at 3 PM in Colombo. The day’s play concludes with South Africa facing Canada in Group D at 7 PM in Ahmedabad

Union Public Service Commission-UPSC has extended the operational hours of its call centre to provide enhanced support and guidance to aspirants. UPSC in a statement said that the call centre will remain operational on all days including Saturday, Sunday, and holidays till the submission of application forms for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026. It will function in two shifts from 7 AM to 9 PM, allowing candidates to seek assistance beyond regular working hours. In addition, the strength of the call centre has been doubled to significantly reduce waiting time for applicants. In this regard, UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar said that the extended call centre operations are part of a series of measures being undertaken to ensure ease, accessibility and timely assistance for aspirants.

PLASTINDIA 2026, one of the world’s largest plastics exhibitions, is underway in New Delhi. The 6-day event focuses on building a self-reliant industrial base to drive manufacturing-led growth and large-scale employment. The exhibition provides space for youth, innovators, and start-ups to showcase sustainable plastic solutions. Talking to Akashvani News, the Director of Commercial Brand Marketing at ExxonMobil, Xiuhuan Su, said that her company is showcasing chemicals and lubrication solutions at the event. She added that ExxonMobil will be collaborating with many Original Equipment Manufacturers at the event. The theme of this exhibition is BHARAT NEXT, which aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and it has emerged as a zero-wastage exhibition. The event being held at Bharat Mandapam in the National Capital will culminate on the 10th of this month.