India to grant import duty concessions on select US agricultural products
INDIA NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 7:39AM IST
India has agreed to provide import duty concessions to certain US agricultural products such as dried distillers' grains (DDGs), red sorghum and apples for animal feed.
According to a joint statement, India and the US have agreed on a framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to be signed by mid-March.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters that India will provide quota-based tariff concessions on US agricultural products such as DDGs, soybean oil, apples, long staple cotton and soybean oil.
"We have opened our markets for the US in a calibrated manner on some products like Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), wines and spirits in which we have kept a minimum import price also," Goyal said.
When asked if DDG's have GM (genetically modified) soymeal, the minister assured that the environment ministry has prescribed processes on allowing the import of GM materials in India, which will be followed.
According to the US Grains an
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H3N2 leads influenza surge in Delhi-NCR
INDIA NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 7:12AM IST
Medical experts in Delhi NCR have observed widespread circulation of respiratory viruses, with Influenza A (H3N2) emerging as a leading driver of the current surge. This wave is characterised by severe symptoms, high-grade fevers, and prolonged recovery times, often extending beyond 10 daysDr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr. Dang's Lab, identified Influenza A (H3N2), Metapneumovirus, Coronaviruses, and Influenza B as the primary agents circulating in Delhi-NCR and noted that the surge is likely linked to cooler temperatures, fluctuating humidity, and rising air pollution, which often forces more people into crowded indoor spaces.Dr Dhiren Gupta, a pediatric specialist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, also reported that more than 50% of children in outpatient departments present with symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches.Speaking with ANI, Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dang's Lab, said, "The respiratory pathogen pattern shows predominant circulation of viral agents, particularly Influenza A (H3N2), Metapneumovirus, Coronaviruses, and Influenza B, which aligns with the changing weather in Delhi NCR marked by cooler temperatures, fluctuating humidity and rising air pollution leading to increased indoor crowding. The concurrent detection of multiple respiratory viruses suggests seasonal co-circulation/co-infections rather than isolated outbreaks, a pattern commonly observed during post-monsoon and winter transitions, while sporadic detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae likely reflects background transmission or a secondary bacterial infection facilitated due to the immunocompromised state during viral infections."Dr Dhiren Gupta, Pediatric Intensive Care Specialist, Pulmonologist and Allergist stated, "There has been a noticeable rise in influenza cases, including H3N2 virus infection, in India over the past month. In our outpatient department, more than 50% of children are currently presenting with symptoms of influenza such as fever, cough, cold, sore throat, and body ache." However, he said the infection is self-limiting, and there is no surge in hospitalisations. "The good news is that most of these cases are mild and self-limiting. At present, there is no significant increase in hospitalisation, and the majority of children are recovering well with routine care," he said. He further recommended that the parents monitor their children and, if the fever persists, consult a doctor for further treatment without delay. "Parents are advised not to panic. Adequate hydration, good nutrition, and proper rest are important for recovery. Early consultation with a doctor is recommended if a child has a high fever, breathing difficulty, poor oral intake, or symptoms lasting more than a few days," he added. Dr Dhiren also emphasised adequate hygiene and preventive measures to be taken to avoid transmission, saying, "Simple preventive measures such as regular hand washing, wearing masks in crowded places, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can help reduce the spread of infection."
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Anti-Olympics protest in Milan turns violent
INDIA NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 6:18AM IST
An anti-Olympics protest in Milan descended into violence late Saturday after a largely peaceful march erupted into clashes between demonstrators and police, with authorities deploying tear gas and water cannons, CNN reported. The unrest came as Italian officials separately investigated suspected acts of sabotage on railway lines in northern Italy.According to CNN, thousands of protesters marched through Milan earlier in the day to oppose the 2026 Winter Olympics, citing environmental concerns about construction projects and what they described as the economic and social costs of hosting the Games.The demonstration was organised by the Unsustainable Olympics Committee and drew participants from Milan, Lombardy and other parts of northern Italy, including environmental groups, students, housing activists, labour unions, pro-Palestinian networks and transfeminist collectives. Protestors also criticised what they called the Italian government's "authoritarian security drift" and its treatment of racial minorities. The protest remained peaceful throughout the afternoon, with demonstrators marching arm in arm, singing, and dancing. However, CNN reported that the clashes broke out after nightfall when the march passed near the Olympic Village, which was secured by a large police cordon.Some demonstrators threw firecrackers and smoke bombs toward the athletes' housing, though the objects did not reach the buildings. Violence escalated when the march diverted onto Via Benaco and reached Piazzale Corvetto, where a smaller group hurled fireworks at police officers. Police responded with charges, followed by the deployment of water cannons and tear gas as protestors later targeted police vans with additional fireworks, CNN said. Authorities noted that many demonstrators did not participate in the violence and remained in the main area of the square. The clashes came a day after the 2026 Winter Olympics officially opened with a high-profile ceremony at Milan's San Siro stadium, featuring performances by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and American singer Mariah Carey. Separately, CNN reported that railway networks in the northern Italian city of Bologna suffered severe disruptions on Saturday. Italy's transport minister said officials were investigating what he described as a possible "premeditated attack" on rail infrastructure, raising concerns about coordinated sabotage.
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Tourism upskilling push: IIMs to train 10,000 guides at 20 iconic sites with 12-week hybrid courses
INDIA BUSINESS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 6:00AM IST
IIMs will train 10,000 tourist guides at 20 iconic sites via 12-week hybrid courses, focusing on management skills, sustainability, safety, and local insights to boost tourism quality, jobs, and visitor experience nationwide.
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India, US head towards a new relationship
INDIA NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 5:30AM IST
India and the US agreed on an interim trade framework that expands market access, lowers tariffs and sets the stage for a broader bilateral deal. The framework targets balanced trade, supply chain resilience and deeper technology cooperation. India intends to buy $500 billion of US energy & tech products, aircraft & parts, precious metals, tech products, coking coal over 5 years. ET takes a look:KEY GAINS FOR INDIA18% US tariff, below key competitors$44 b of Indian exports will get duty free access to the USLower duty on critical tech inputs, chips, semiconductor, aircraft, machineryZero duty on spices, tea, coffee, avocado, barley, canary seeds, bakery goods, cocoa & products, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, fruit jams & pastesNo additional duty on Section 232 goods, aircraft and machinery parts, generic drugs, pharma ingredients, elementary auto parts 128044924 SECTORAL GAINSTEXTILE & APPAREL0% on silk; Market access of $13 billionEdge over others: China (35% tariff), Bangladesh (20%), Vietnam (20%), Indonesia (19%)GEMS & JEWELLERYMarket access of $61 billion0% duty market access of $29 billion for diamonds, platinum, coins, etcTariff advantage: South Africa (30%), Thailand (19%), China (35%)LEATHER & FOOTWEARMarket access of $42 billionEdge over China (35%), Indonesia (19%), Cambodia (19%)TOYSMarket opportunity of $18 billionCompetitive access: China (35%), Indonesia (19%), Vietnam (20%)MACHINERY & PARTSMarket access of $477 billion with current India exports of $2.35 bEdge over Malaysia (19%), Thailand (19%), Vietnam (20%)HOME dcorTrade access of $52 billion0% duty free access to market worth $13 billion for products seats, parts of lamp, chandeliers, etcEdge over China (35%), Vietnam (20%), Malaysia (19%)NON-TARIFF MEASURESIndia to address US concerns on medical devices, ICT import licensing, food/agri productsNew Delhi will also review US/global standards, testing norms within six months in selected sectorsSAFEGUARD CLAUSEBoth countries noted that any changes in agreed tariffs by one side allows the other to modify its commitmentsDigital trade rules to be part of BTA 128044968 GROWTH BOOSTExports lift could add 2030bps to FY27 GDWHAT INDIA IS OFFERINGLow or zero levy on all US industrial goodsCut in tariffs on selected agricultural and food products, including animal feed, tree nuts, fresh & processed fruits, soyabean oil, wine and spiritsApple, almonds, cotton allowed on quotaSensitive staple items outside interim deal ambitZero duty on 800-1,600 cc bikes, duty cut on diesel cars above 2,500 cc & petrol cars above 3,000 cc
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Hims & Hers Withdraws Knockoff Weight-Loss Pill After Regulatory Scrutiny
GLOBAL NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 4:49AM IST
Federal officials had warned that the new product from the online provider of weight loss drugs might be illegal.
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Fake Post About Racist Video Looked to Be Trumps on Truth Social
GLOBAL NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 3:26AM IST
The post, which spread widely, appeared to describe the presidents rationale for deleting a racist video about the Obamas that he had shared.
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India, US to increase trade in GPUs, goods used in data centre infra
INDIA MARKET | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 12:16AM IST
Interim trade framework to ease import norms for ICT goods, support India's push to become a major AI data centre hub
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A Super Bowl in Silicon Valley Filled With Valley Billionaires
GLOBAL NEWS | Sun, 8 Feb 2026, 12:14AM IST
A whos who of celebrities will join them. Just a little over 25 percent of the seats for the game will be for regular fans, with the cheapest ticket now selling for more than $4,000.
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3-storey building collapses in Kota
INDIA NEWS | Sat, 7 Feb 2026, 11:55PM IST
Jaipur: A three-storey building collapsed in Rajasthans Kota on Saturday night, killing at least two people and leaving several trapped under the debris, an official said.The incident occurred in the Talwandi area, where a restaurant was operating in the building. Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.So far, five people have been pulled out from the rubble and shifted to a hospital, officials said. According to initial information, some customers and employees were present in the restaurant at the time of the collapse.— PTI_News (@PTI_News) BJP MLA Sandeep Sharma, who reached the spot soon after the incident said, "Prima facie, the reason appears to be that a nearby old building was dismantled, which may have led to issues with its foundation. We cannot reach a final conclusion yet. So far, 10 people have been recovered. The operation is ongoing and relief work is currently underway."There is a possibility that several people are trapped. The police and administration reached the site promptly, and rescue operations are underway. Some people have been pulled out," he said.Minister Madan Dilawar said, This is a very major incident. We have received information about around two casualties so far. A total of nine people have been taken to the Medical College hospital. Four are currently admitted there, while three to four others have either gone to private hospitals or returned home... Investigation is underway. Rescue teams are on the spot and relief and rescue operations are underway. With inputs from PTI
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