After recording 146/9 in a thrilling match, England’s clinical all-around performance saw them defeat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights match, bundling out the hosts for just 95 runs in 16.4 overs.

With a persistent middle-overs squeeze that left Sri Lanka gasping, England’s spinners converted the match into a one-sided fight while defending a small score on a field that was favourable to bowlers. The hosts fell to 34/5, their second-lowest powerplay score among full member sides this edition, and the pursuit never bounced back from a spectacular powerplay failure.

The tone was established early by Jofra Archer, who removed Kamil Mishara after dismissing Pathum Nissanka with a well-placed trap at deep mid-wicket. Will Jacks, however, was the one that broke the innings’ backbone.

The off-spinner became the first spinner from England to take three wickets in a T20I powerplay after hitting twice in the fourth over, including the valuable wicket of Kusal Mendis, who was caught and bowled. He then added Dunith Wellalage to finish with an impressive 3/22.

Liam Dawson joined the act, spinning from both ends. Kamindu Mendis was explained by his drift and control, which also resulted in a scathing caught-and-bowled dismissal. Dushan Hemantha’s strange hit-wicket highlighted Sri Lanka’s collapse under duress.

Even though captain Dasun Shanaka launched a quick response, the match was essentially lost at 53/6. In an aggressive attempt to rekindle hopes, the right-hander hit two sixes in his 30 off 24 balls. But Adil Rashid’s cunning was the deciding factor. After removing Shanaka with a spectacular relay catch attempt in the deep, the leg-spinner used his signature wrong ‘un to clean up the tail.

When Rashid bowled Dilshan Madushanka over the gate to end the celebrations after Sri Lanka was dismissed for 95, their lowest score against England in T20 World Cups, he appropriately secured the victory.

England have previously had trouble gaining traction after being thrown in. The innings was supported by Phil Salt’s 62 off 40 balls, but Wellalage’s (3-26) and Maheesh Theekshana’s (2-21) disciplined spells held them to 146/9.

However, that number was more than sufficient as England’s spinners controlled and accurately stifled the chase, extending their dominance over Sri Lanka with a 12th straight T20I victory in the head-to-head match.

Despite a disciplined bowling effort that had earlier held the opposition to a modest score, Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka did not hold back from acknowledging his team’s batting failure after they were bowled out for just 95 and lost to England by 51 runs.

When Shanaka thought back on the match, he was disappointed with Sri Lanka’s reckless and poorly thought-out batting display, which wasted a fine bowling performance.

Although it is really disheartening, there were a lot of good things about the ball. Therefore, I believe we managed to keep them at least 20 runs below par. After the game, Shanaka summarized the reasons for the poor score by saying, “I anticipated my players to bat well.”

“A lovely birthday gift. During the post-match presentation, Brook remarked, “I felt we played excellently there, and to go over the line and bowl them out for less than 100 is an awesome performance.”

Brief scores:
England 146/9 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3-26, Maheesh Theekshana 2-21)
Sri Lanka 95/10 in 16.4 overs (Dasun Shanaka 30; Will Jacks 3-22, Adil Rashid 2-13, Jofra Archer 2-20)

‘Saraswathi‘, the first film in which actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar directs, was teased by Telugu star Nani on Saturday.

“Some journeys are special because of the people behind them,” Nani said on his X timeline. I’m thrilled to present the trailer for #Saraswathi, which was helmed by my good friend @varusarath5. I’ve witnessed the amount of effort she has put into this, and it genuinely merits all of your affection. Best wishes for success to the entire crew. #varalaxmisarathkumar #poojasarathkumar is the producer of #Saraswathi. Under the @Dosadiariesoffl banner. A musical by @MusicThaman.

Varalaxmi is shown waiting at a police station at the start of the trailer. We learn that Saraswathi, her daughter, has vanished. When we hear the actress state, “I dropped her at school myself, but when I went to pick her up, they say that she is not there,”

In the meantime, Kishore and Priyamani are also in the same situation. Since her child hasn’t arrived yet, Priyamani asks the watchman at the school.

In response, the watchman says that no one is in the school and that everyone has departed. Then, we witness Kishore and Priyamani desperately looking for their child inside the school.

Even though Varalaxmi claims that her daughter will not go without telling her, the police quickly get involved and start asking questions.

Varalaxmi appears powerless in the absence of evidence. After a few nervous moments, we see Varalaxmi approach Prakash Raj, who plays the movie’s advocate Ramanunajam.

We watch him accept her and go to court on her behalf after initially being hesitant to take her case because there is no proof or evidence.

We learn that a crime has been committed and that Varalaxmi will not be able to obtain justice, even after a protracted legal battle. Varalaxmi gets a gun and learns how to shoot it as the trailer comes to a close. “Not all women are going to be Saraswathi. She will even transform into a Kali if necessary, she said.

Varalaxmi and her sister Pooja are producing the movie under the Dosa Diaries production banner.

Along with Varalaxmi, the film stars Prakash Raj, Priya Mani, Radhikaa Sarathkumar, and Naveen Chandra.

Saraswathi’s technical team is also strong. One of the best music directors in the Tamil and Telugu film industry, Thaman, composed the music for the movie.

Edwin Sakay was responsible for the film’s cinematography, and Venkat Raajen was in charge of its editing. Brinda is the dance choreographer, and Sudheer is the art director.

A recent SBI Research report states that the refund could be a “mess,” but it would also serve as a psychological deterrent in the imposition of future tariff structures.

The US administration has collected between $160 and $175 billion in tariffs from various jurisdictions, with Chinese companies likely having paid the most.

A day after the US Supreme Court invalidated a large portion of his previous tariffs, President Donald Trump has escalated his trade attack by raising worldwide taxes to 15%, citing Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The report claims that the court’s unscrapping of the tariff structure can upend future uncertainty and that jurisdictions must implement counterintuitive negotiation to strategically position themselves during the sporadic period when the US Congress, which is delicately balanced, holds ultimate power.

It contended that “the convergence between arbitrators and inter-sovereign treaties on effective tariff structure can be a melee, if not a mess.”

The US President may implement temporary import limits or surcharges (up to 15%) under the Trade Act to address problems with the US balance of payments. It has a maximum duration of 150 days, unless Congress passes legislation to extend it.

Certain pre-existing national security levies and products from Canada and Mexico that adhere to the USMCA are excluded from the new tax.

The report stated, “It is anticipated that the Administration would finish investigations and impose tariffs using Section 301 and Section 232 during this time.”

Since Section 232 has not been repealed, Indian businesses, like those worldwide, are subject to Section 232 tariffs on copper, steel, and aluminum, as well as vehicles.

The report stated that it would be interesting to observe how the shifting sands of bilateral relations add to or lessen the landscape and how trade deals among multiple sovereigns are interpreted at the end of private, independent legal, artificial, or “juristic” persons (the firms that filed the case and won a favorable judgment for refund and scrapping of the tariff structure).

President Mithun Manhas and Secretary Devajit Saikia of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) supported a historic support system for the men’s and women’s teams affiliated with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) on Saturday, describing it as a pivotal step toward inclusive cricket development in India.

Following ten years of remarkable success for India’s visually impaired cricket players, including numerous Men’s World Cup titles and a historic first Women’s World Cup victory in Sri Lanka last year, the BCCI formally announced on Saturday the structured arrangement for extending institutional backing to both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Manhas claimed that institutional, ongoing support was not only necessary but also long overdue, given the magnitude of what India’s blind cricket players had accomplished on the international scene.

“The cricketing community is extremely proud of the accomplishments of India’s visually impaired players. The BCCI hopes to improve these athletes’ exposure, infrastructure, and opportunities through this assistance system.

“Our goal for the game still centers on inclusive growth. We hope that this assistance will encourage many more people to take up the sport and give the teams even more confidence to strive for success. He stated in a BCCI statement, “The BCCI is still dedicated to doing its part to guarantee that cricket remains a game for everyone.

As part of the arrangement, the BCCI will pay for both teams’ international travel to two tournaments each year, house the home and visiting teams during bilateral series played in India, and open its affiliated stadiums and grounds for both local and international games.

To ensure that visually impaired cricket players have the resources and support they require to compete confidently both domestically and internationally, it is crucial to extend this support to CABI.

“The chance to take advantage of match settings and infrastructure supported by the BCCI will further improve their experience and contribute to the improvement of professional standards in blind cricket in India,” Saikia continued.

India defeated Australia by 17 runs in a high-stress match at the Adelaide Oval after a thrilling battle.

Australia’s lower order struggled mightily to reach the difficult goal of 159, but India’s bowlers held their composure until the very last overs to secure the victory.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana both made significant contributions to India’s batting, but it was Shreyanka Patil with the ball that ensured the side easily defeated the hosts.

With Shafali Verma (7 off 6) and Mandhana (82 off 55) getting the innings off to a fast start, India got off to a fairly steady start. But Australian bowlers put up a fight, and the former fell swiftly.

India won thanks to a 121-run partnership between Mandhana and Rodrigues (59 off 46), who stabilized the ship. The batting combination was kept intact by Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, even though the vice captain was only 18 runs away from a well-earned century.

The Women in Blue set a manageable target for the home team thanks to the wicketkeeper-batter’s seven-ball 18-ball cameo and subsequent mini-collapse in the last over.

Australia’s chase got off to a rough start when Renuka Thakur dismissed Beth Mooney (6) in the second over after she fell early. Renuka Singh’s amazing catch allowed Shreyanka Patil to dismiss Georgia Voll in the third over, marking yet another significant breakthrough.

Then, Ashleigh Gardner (57) and Phoebe Litchfield (26), working together, put up a fierce fight. The highlight of Australia’s chase was Gardner’s knock, which kept the necessary run rate under control with five boundaries and a six.

Nevertheless, wickets kept falling at regular intervals, with captain Sophie Molineux (6) being bowled leg before wicket by Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani.

The strain caused Australia’s middle order to collapse. The chase stalled as they lost wickets quickly after Annabel Sutherland’s brief burst of activity. Despite appearing assured, Grace Harris was removed by hit-wicket.

Australia was at 143/9 after Sutherland was dismissed for a crucial knock of 14 by Shreyanka Patil, who delivered another devastating blow.

Then, in the last over, Deepti Sharma came back to bowl a calm spell, conceding just five runs as the visitors held the hosts to 150/9 and won by 17 runs.

India now leads the multi-format series 4-2, and the two teams will face off in three ODIs and a single Test.

Brief Scores:
India 176/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 82, Jemimah Rodrigues 59; Annabel Sutherland 2-34, Kim Garth 1-25)
Australia 159/9 in overs (Ashleigh Gardner 57, Phoebe Litchfield 26; Shreyanka Patil 3-22, Shree Charani 3-32)

The construction of the HCL-Foxconn semiconductor facility in Uttar Pradesh, according to PM Narendra Modi on Saturday, is a big step towards technical self-reliance and will greatly increase India’s footprint in the global chip ecosystem.

Using a video conference from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) location in Uttar Pradesh, the PM officially opened the HCL-Foxconn joint venture project, India Chip Private Limited.

With an investment of more than Rs 3,700 crore, the new facility is an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) unit.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi stated that Uttar Pradesh is quickly becoming a key hub in India’s expanding semiconductor industry.

PM Modi clarified, “The nation is gradually achieving chip production independence, which is essential for industries like electronics, autos, and digital technologies.”

Display driver chips for smartphones, computers, cars, and other consumer devices will be produced at the OSAT facility.

The factory is anticipated to process about 20,000 wafers per month once it is up and running. This will improve domestic supply chains and lessen India’s reliance on chip imports.

The Prime Minister referred to this decade as India’s “tech-ade,” claiming that investments in semiconductors are setting the stage for the nation to become a leader in 21st-century technologies.

PM Modi said, “India has made rapid progress even though it entered the semiconductor race later than some other nations.”

Ten of these units have been approved thus far under the India Semiconductor Mission, and four of them are almost ready to begin production.

PM Modi also mentioned the recent India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, where world leaders commended India’s technological ambitions.

According to the Prime Minister, 2026 has started off quickly, and this week is momentous for the nation’s technological advancements.

He emphasized that thousands of direct and indirect employment for engineers, technicians, and skilled workers will be created by the new factory.

Additionally, it is anticipated to support startups, ancillary industries, and semiconductor design hubs in the area.

PM Modi stated that the facility’s close proximity to Jewar Airport will facilitate quicker global connectivity and enhance logistics.

A lot has been said, criticized, and debated about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over the decades. Shatak does something extraordinary—it transforms discussion into experience, debate into understanding, and history into living, breathing moments.

This film is not just about events; it is about the people, the courage, and the unshakable conviction behind one of India’s most influential movements.

Ambitiously, it covers the first 50 years of the RSS, with the promise of the next 50 years still to unfold—a cinematic journey that leaves the audience eagerly anticipating what is yet to come.

From the very first scene, Shatak establishes itself as a masterpiece of historical storytelling. One of India’s pioneering films to blend live-action with the most advanced technology, it uses cutting-edge techniques not as a spectacle but as a seamless bridge to bring historical figures and moments to life with stunning realism.

The film’s depiction of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar is profoundly moving. Here is a man -India’s forgotten hero whose belief in discipline, character, and service laid the foundation of a century-long mission.

Watching his early years, his humble beginnings and the sacrifices he endured during the freedom struggle builds him into not just a founder, but a visionary whose quiet resolve shaped a movement larger than himself.

The simplicity of the early days—the open fields, the small gatherings, the tentative steps of an idea—feels honest, lived-in, and inspiring. These scenes remind us that monumental movements are often born in the humblest of settings, nurtured by dedication rather than spectacle.

Shatak is not only about organizational history—it is about India’s nation-building moments. The liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is depicted with restraint and dignity, a quiet but powerful celebration of freedom.

The efforts to secure Kashmir and the guidance provided in turbulent times are handled with sensitivity and precision, reminding viewers that the RSS played a significant role behind the scenes in shaping India’s destiny.

These sequences are a testament to courage, vision, and the spirit of service, portrayed in a way that resonates long after the screen goes dark.

What makes Shatak remarkable is its focus on human stories within history. Young swayamsevaks leaving home, families facing uncertainty, volunteers quietly taking on enormous responsibility—the film captures their emotions, fears, and steadfast dedication.

Each frame lingers just enough for the audience to feel the weight of commitment and the nobility of purpose, making history deeply personal and profoundly moving.

The team behind Shatak deserves boundless praise. Conceptualized by Anil D. Agarwal, directed with nuance and care by Aashish Mall, and produced by Vir Kapur with co-producer Aashish Tiwari under Ada 360 Degree LLP, the film is a labor of passion, integrity, and belief.

Every creative choice reflects respect for history, the organization, and the people whose stories are being told. The filmmakers could have gone for sensationalism—but instead, they embraced authenticity, subtlety, and depth.

In essence, Shatak is a cinematic celebration of belief, resilience, and dedication. It is moving, inspiring, and unforgettable—a film that doesn’t just depict history, but makes you feel it, live it, and admire the men and women who shaped it. The first 50 years are captured with brilliance; the next 50 are awaited with anticipation. Shatak is not merely a film—it is a heartfelt tribute to an idea that refused to bend.

Shatak stands as a masterclass in storytelling, historical insight, and emotional resonance. It is a moving, inspiring, and deeply praiseworthy tribute to the RSS and the ordinary individuals whose extraordinary dedication helped shape the nation.

Directed by: Aashish Mall
Produced by: Vir Kapur
Concept by: Anil Dhanpat Agarwal
Co-Producer: Aashish Tiwari
Associate Producers: Ashok Pradhan, Mayank Patel, Kabir Sadanand
Executive Producer: Abhinaav Shiv Tiwari
Written by: Nitin Sawant, Rohit Gehlot, Utsav Dan

India’s recent interim trade agreement with the United States, which resulted in a reduction in US tariffs, is being increasingly seen worldwide as reflecting New Delhi’s strategic autonomy in taking decisions that are in national interest.

“India’s response, which is seemingly rooted in a deliberate policy of strategic autonomy, reveals a pragmatic approach that prioritises national interest without surrender, as many pundits had suggested,” according to an article in South Africa’s Sunday Independent.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, at the recent Munich Security Conference on February 14, also stated that India remains “very much emboldened to strategic autonomy because it’s very much a part of its history and evolution.”

Responding to questions about whether the US trade deal compelled a shift away from Russian oil, Jaishankar stressed that energy decisions are driven by “availability, costs, risks”, and the best interests of Indian oil companies, not political pressure, the article points out.

This underscores that any moderation in imports (Russian share has declined to below 25 per cent in early 2026, with Iranian flows already negligible) stems from pragmatic assessments, not external pressure, the article written by Phapano Phasha states.

Jaishankar’s remarks directly countered US assertions (from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio) of a firm commitment to end Russian purchases, highlighting India’s insistence on independent-minded choices that “may not necessarily agree on everything” with partners, the article observes.

The US tariffs on Indian goods will drop from rates as high as 50 per cent (including punitive layers) to 18 per cent, slightly more favourable than those on competitors like Pakistan (19 per cent) and Vietnam (20 per cent).

This will ease the burden on key export sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and electronics, stabilising supply chains and protecting jobs amid global volatility.

Experts are also of the view that most Trump-era deals remain frameworks with uncertain timelines and legal questions over presidential authority, and without congressional approval, thus countries like India retain implementation flexibility.

This US framework followed swiftly after India’s landmark free trade agreement with the European Union, finalised on January 27. The article also points out that India’s sequencing of first securing a free trade agreement with the EU, diminished US leverage during negotiations, exemplifying strategic autonomy through diversified partnerships.

India has moderated Russian imports under sanctions and market realities, while eyeing Venezuelan heavy crude as a US-encouraged alternative. Yet no full halt on Russian or Iranian ties has been confirmed, and enduring military-economic links with Moscow persist, the article points out.

This selective diversification clearly aligns with the tapestry of India’s national interest: ensuring an affordable, reliable supply of oil for 1.4 billion people while hedging risks.

“By balancing US concessions with EU diversification and pragmatic energy choices, New Delhi advances national interest without perceived ideological surrender. In a multipolar world, this model of resilient, uncoerced engagement offers valuable lessons for the Global South, the article observes,” the article observes.