Trump’s tariff cut cheers exporters, sparks political heat
Indian exporters rejoiced as United States President Donald Trump slashed tariffs on Indian goods from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. But critics said India gave up too much – agreeing to cut Russian oil imports and boost US purchases.
While the Narendra Modi-led government stayed mum on oil, businesses welcomed the move despite the brewing controversy.
Budget banks on industry, markets tank over tax shock
India’s 2026 budget boosts manufacturing and trims deficits – but markets slid 1 per cent after a surprise hike in derivatives transaction tax.
With foreign investors pulling out US$22 billion (S$28 billion) since 2025, the rupee hit record lows.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pledged growth and fiscal prudence, but critics called it “non-adventurous”. GDP growth is projected at 7.4 per cent as India eyes industrial resilience amid global volatility.
MEA trashes Epstein’s ‘trippy’ Modi-Israel claim
The government dismissed disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s 2017 e-mail linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Israel visit to United States’ interests.
The leaked e-mail called Mr Modi’s trip a show for US President Donald Trump, but India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the remark as “trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal”.
Mr Modi’s historic Israel visit in July 2017 remains the first by an Indian prime minister.
General’s memoir mayhem disrupts parliament
Parliament was rocked by protests after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried quoting from former Army chief Manoj Naravane’s unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny.
Leaked excerpts suggest Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s indecision during a 2020 standoff with China and dissatisfaction over the defence forces’ short-term Agnipath recruitment scheme.
Eight Congress MPs were suspended. The government called it unauthenticated material, while Gen (retd) Naravane said the book is “maturing like aged wine” as it awaits Ministry of Defence clearance.
Martial artiste turned CM ends Manipur’s President’s rule
Mr Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a black belt in taekwondo and former Speaker, was sworn in as Manipur’s new chief minister on Feb 4.
Backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, National People’s Party and Naga People’s Front, he replaces Mr N. Biren Singh after months of ethnic violence.
His National Democratic Alliance government ended nearly a year of President’s Rule, with hopes pinned on his ability to bridge fractured communities.
Mamata scores Supreme Court spotlight
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally argued in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s (EC) revision of Bengal’s voter rolls.
Calling it a disenfranchisement drive targeting women and the poor, she dubbed the EC a “WhatsApp Commission”. The court issued notices to the EC, warning against wrongful deletions. The hearing continues on Feb 9.
Winter heat worries farmers in the northwest
India faces a hotter, drier February, threatening wheat, chickpea and rapeseed yields. The northwest may get less than 78 per cent of usual rainfall, said the India Meteorological Department.
Higher temperatures could cut crop maturity cycles short. Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh – key wheat belts – are most at risk. Farmers fear yield drops, while meteorologists warn of below-normal cold-wave days.
Sabarimala gold heist accused gets bail
Unnikrishnan Potti, the prime accused in Kerala’s sensational Sabarimala gold theft, was granted statutory bail after the Special Investigation Team failed to file a chargesheet within 90 days.
This second case concerns missing gold from deity idols. Potti had earlier secured bail in a separate gold theft case. Investigators blamed testing delays for the lapse.
Chemical barrel blast injures eight in Bidar
A mysterious blast injured eight people, including six children, in Karnataka’s Molkhera village on Jan 31.
The explosion occurred near a temple and is believed to be caused by expired paint chemicals stored in a painter’s house. Two victims remain critical.
Forensic experts are investigating the cause of the blast.
Wild elephant kills man in Thrissur
Mr Shijo Puthenveetil, 32, was trampled to death by a wild elephant near Peechi forest in Kerala on Feb 4.
A Water Authority temporary worker, he went to collect fodder when attacked.
Angry locals blocked a Forest Department vehicle, demanding action. The region has seen repeated human-elephant conflicts over the past year.
Central team assesses Alappuzha bird flu outbreak
After over 41,000 birds were culled due to avian flu, a central team reached Kerala’s Alappuzha district on Feb 3 to review containment efforts.
The virus was also found in crows, prompting water-use warnings. The outbreak, spread across 16 sites, may trigger further restrictions on poultry. Officials are monitoring the public health threat.
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty targeted in gang firing
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Mumbai residence was fired upon on Feb 1. No injuries were reported, but four suspects linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have been arrested.
A social media post claimed responsibility, calling it a “trailer”. Police believe the shooters provided logistics to an absconding hitman.
Zero-commission Bharat Taxi app launched
India launched its first cooperative ride-hailing platform, Bharat Taxi, on Feb 5. With no commissions or surge pricing, drivers pay just Rs30 a day.
The platform promises better wages, social benefits and passenger savings. The app, now live in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, plans a nationwide rollout and already logs 10,000 daily rides.
100-year-old walks free in 40-year-old murder case
After four decades, centenarian Dhami Ram was acquitted by the Allahabad High Court in a 1982 murder case.
Citing age and delayed justice, the court ruled the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond doubt.
Mr Ram had been out on bail since 1984. His co-accused died during the long-pending appeal.
