"Regrettable": Afridi's Blunt Take On Pak's Refusal To Play Against India

Former Pakistan captain and cricketing legend Shahid Afridi shared quite an intriguing statement after his government confirmed a boycott of the Indian team at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan and India are scheduled to square off in Colombo on 15 February, but Salman Ali Agha's men have been asked not to take the field by their government as a mark of protest against the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been flirting with the idea of giving the India match a miss ever since the ICC booted Bangladesh out of the tournament.

Afridi, who has time and again advocated for sports and politics to be kept separate, expressed 'regret' over Pakistan's decision to not play against India in the T20 World Cup. However, he also stood behind his government's decision while asking the ICC to resolve the matter through impartial actions.

"I've always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. Regrettably, Pakistan won't play India at the #T20WorldCup, but I stand behind my government's decision. This is the moment for @ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent, and fair to every member," Afridi's post on X (formerly Twitter) read.

Afridi himself was at the centre of a controversy after India Legends pulled out of a match against Pakistan Legends in the World Championship of Legends at Edgbaston.

"Sports bring people closer, but if politics gets involved in everything, how will we move forward? ... Sometimes, there's one bad egg (or rotten egg) that spoils everything for everyone else," Afridi had said, in a dig at former India batter Shikhar Dhawan after he refused to play against Pakistan in the tournament.

It is rather bizarre that the same Afridi is now backing the political interference of his country's government, especially in an event of the stature of the T20 World Cup.

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Delivery Man Climbs Stairs With Huge Parcel After Society Denies Lift Access

A video has gone viral showing a delivery worker for a moving company, struggling to climb six floors of stairs while carrying a massive parcel on his back. Notably, the agent was forced to take the stairs after being denied elevator access by a housing society, despite the lift reportedly being operational. The video, shared by user @Abhishekkkk10 on X, shows the worker nearly losing his balance due to the heavy load. Upon reaching the flat, a voice from inside the apartment is heard saying "Aaram se" (be careful) as he maneuvers the oversized package through the door.

"Packers and movers not allowed to use lift by society members; the delivery guy had to use stairs to bring heavy stuff to the 6th floor," the video was captioned on X.

Watch the video here:

Packers and movers not allowed to use lift by society members, ad delivery guy had to use stairs to bring heavy stuff to 6th floor. pic.twitter.com/ILAOaGNS6Q

— AbhishekkkK (@Abhishekkkk10) January 30, 2026

The footage sparked intense debate online, with many users condemning the society's rules as "inhumane" and "discriminatory." Many users pointed out the physical toll on gig workers, while some defended the rules by citing lift maintenance concerns or the absence of dedicated service elevators.

One user wrote, "Coz in India, labour is cheap and anything cheap, doesn't get respect or humane treatment."

Another said, "This is one of those things I vehemently, unequivocally, without a single shred of doubt or hesitation, HATE!! When we have the tools, and don't let them use those tools, there is no reason to call ourselves human anymore."

"Don't societies with more than 4 floors have service lift? If not, then the local municipality authority should be questioned. If yes, then service lift should be used for goods movement. If RWA is not allowing to use service lift, they should be sued," added a third user. 

A fourth stated, "Whoever these people are that made a man with a load on his back use the stairs for six floors should be prosecuted. The man could have had a heart attack and passed on. The Indian middle class contempt for the working poor is sickening."

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Ranveer Singh And Aditya Dhar Hint At Dhurandhar 2 Teaser Release

Ranveer Singh has sparked excitement among fans by teasing that the teaser of Dhurandhar 2 will drop tomorrow, February 3. 

The actor took to Instagram to share the update, simply writing, "Tomorrow 12:12." 

Director Aditya Dhar also posted the same message on his Instagram Stories, heightening anticipation for the next chapter of the blockbuster spy franchise.

About Dhurandhar 2

Dhurandhar 2 is the upcoming sequel to the 2025 spy thriller Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar. While the makers are keeping plot details tightly under wraps, the sequel will continue directly from where the first part ended.

What To Expect From Dhurandhar 2

The story resumes with Hamza Ali Mazhari, an Indian undercover agent who has successfully infiltrated Pakistan's underworld. After eliminating Rehman Dakait, Hamza rises to power, earns the trust of influential politicians such as Jameel Jamali, and even marries Jamali's daughter, Yalina.

In the sequel, Hamza sets his sights on a far greater enemy - Major Iqbal, the ISI mastermind known as Bade Sahab, who is believed to be behind several terror attacks on India. 

Dhurandhar 2 is slated for a theatrical release on March 19. The first film's staggering box office performance has set high expectations for the sequel. 

According to Sacnilk, Dhurandhar collected Rs 836.95 crore in India net and Rs 1,303 crore worldwide. Notably, it became the first Indian film to cross the Rs 1,000 crore mark while being released in a single language, unlike earlier record-holders that relied on multiple dubbed versions.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the franchise features Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal in prominent roles.

ALSO READ: Shekhar Kapur Reviews Dhurandhar: "Aditya Dhar Deserves All The Praise He's Getting"

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Total Tariff On India To Be 18%: US Ambassador Sergio Gor to NDTV

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor today congratulated both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump after both leaders confirmed reciprocal tariffs have been reduced to 18 per cent.

This is one of the lowest tariffs the US has announced for competing export economies, which means India has gone from being charged a very high tariff to the opposite end.

The US tariff on other competing export economies are Indonesia (19 per cent), Vietnam (20 per cent), Bangladesh (20 per cent), and China (34 per cent).

Gor told NDTV that this tariff breakthrough is the result of a strong friendship between the two leaders that has developed over many years.

"It's a friendship that has endured and it's ultimately what got this deal done. I've often said that the relationship between the United States and India has limitless potential. And with this trade deal, now being behind us, it's an incredible thing. It unlocks the next chapter of the relationship between our two great countries," Gor said.

A key point the American ambassador confirmed to NDTV is the total tariff, which now stands at 18 per cent.

"The total tariff will be 18 per cent. And that will be finalised over the next few days. There's some items that need to be signed, but the total tariff will be at 18 per cent," Gor said.

While there are a few technical things that will be worked out over the next two-three days, Gor said the deal is official. "It's done," he added.

PM Modi, Trump On Tariffs Deal

Soon after the tariff cut announcement by Trump, PM Modi thanked him "on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India".

"Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent," PM Modi said in a post on X.

"Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement," the prime minister said.

In the announcement that first appeared on the Trump-owned social media platform Truth Social, the US president called the move a "trade deal". Trump also called PM Modi "one of my greatest friends, and a powerful and respected leader of his country."

The US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in a statement said the reduction of India's reciprocal tariff to 18 per cent marks an important and positive first step.

The US ambassador told NDTV that many companies from India want to buy American products, and the message when Trump became president was that America was open for business.

"You know, our countries are in a spot today that frankly, the last four years, we weren't there," Gor said. "And under President Trump's leadership, the United States has come back to the forefront. As you saw in the last day or two, Air India is buying more Boeings. There's a 10-year deal that got signed between the United States and India on defence," he added.

"So there are a lot of things that are in common. We are great partners and because of the president's leadership because of the prime minister's leadership, that is something that we aim to take to the next level. The next three years will define the relationship between our two nations," Gor said.

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"Balance Of Power Is Changing": Musk As India, China Lead Global GDP Growth

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has weighed in on shifting global economic trends after data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) showed China and India emerging as the largest contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026.

"The balance of power is changing," Musk wrote on X in response to a graphic showing the top 10 contributors to global growth.

The balance of power is changing https://t.co/mzk1KRHkcg

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2026

China and India have been placed at the top of the global real GDP growth chart and are projected to contribute 26.6% and 17%, respectively. Together, the countries drive 43.6% of global economic growth. This indicates that the Asia-Pacific region is contributing nearly half of the overall expansion.

At 9.9%, the United States has been placed at the third position, followed by developing nations like Indonesia (3.8%), Türkiye (2.2%), Nigeria (1.5%), Brazil (1.5%) and others.

Germany remains placed at the bottom of the list with a 0.9% share.

The comment made by the world's richest person, who has been keeping track of India's trajectory closely and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice in recent times, holds major significance. It hints towards a growing consensus among policymakers about the global economy making a dynamic shift to Asia and parts of the global south from the West.

In its January 2026 global economy report, the IMF mentions that the "global growth is projected at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027, revised slightly up since the October 2025 World Economic Outlook." 

It suggests that the growth is expected to be fueled by "technology investment, fiscal and monetary support, accommodative financial conditions, and private sector adaptability offset trade policy shifts."

IMF further predicts that the global inflation will fall, while the US inflation will return to target more gradually. 

"Key downside risks are reevaluation of technology expectations and escalation of geopolitical tensions. Policymakers should restore fiscal buffers, preserve price and financial stability, reduce uncertainty, and implement structural reforms," it added.

The IMF report cautions that "trade tensions could flare up, prolonging uncertainty and weighing more heavily on activity." 

The Fund highlights that domestic political tensions or geopolitical tensions could erupt and introduce "new layers of uncertainty and disrupting the global economy through their impact on financial markets, supply chains, and commodity prices." 

"Larger fiscal deficits and high public debt could put pressure on long-term interest rates and, in turn, on broader financial conditions," it added.

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Flipperachi Enters Guinness World Records After Dhurandhar Track Goes Viral

Bahraini rapper Flipperachi's 2024 song FA9LA has become a massive hit globally, thanks to its feature in the Bollywood film Dhurandhar. The song went viral after it was used in the movie, particularly during Akshaye Khanna's iconic entry scene. The track's energetic beats and catchy hooks made it a social media sensation. Now, FA9LA has broken the Guinness World Record for topping the most Billboard charts simultaneously. 

In a video shared on Instagram, the Arab Billboard team, along with Guinness World Records Arabia, surprised the rapper with the news. He broke the record for the most Billboard charts topped by a single song.

As of January 1, the track was dominating four different Arabic Billboard charts.

Flipperachi credited Dhurandhar for playing an important role in the song's success. The rapper said, "I was shocked the first time I saw it blowing up on social media. We suddenly got a deal from over there, and they said they wanted the song FA9LA because it would fit this scene in the movie. They placed it in a scene with an actor who has been off-screen for maybe ten years. Boom, he danced to it and boom."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guinness World Records Arabia (@gwrarabia)

For the unversed, FA9LA was initially released in May 2024 but gained massive popularity after being featured in Dhurandhar.  The song's success skyrocketed after its inclusion in the movie, and it caught the attention of audiences worldwide. Following the song's success, Flipperachi has announced his highly anticipated India tour. It is set to kick off on March 14 at the UN40 Music Festival in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar debuted on Netflix on January 30 after having a spectacular run at the box office. The film earned over Rs 1300 worldwide. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller features Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Akshaye Khanna, and R Madhavan in key roles. A sequel, Dhurandhar 2, is set to release in theatres on March 19.

ALSO READ: Why Dhurandhar On Netflix Is 4 Minutes Shorter Than The New Cinema Version

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Iran Plans Live Fire Drills Near US Warships. Why Focus Is On Strait Of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, again has become a focus of tensions as Iran prepares to launch a military drill that could see fire into a lane crucial for global shipping.

Iran has warned ships that it will conduct a live-fire drill Sunday and Monday in the strait, which sees a fifth of all oil traded pass through the tight corridor between the Islamic Republic and Oman.

The U.S. military's Central Command issued its own warning early Saturday, telling Tehran that any "unsafe and unprofessional behavior near U.S. forces, regional partners or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation and destabilization."

Here's what to know about the drill, the U.S. warning, what caused the tensions and what might happen next in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz resembles a bend looking down from space. Its narrowest point is just 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide. It flows from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman. From there, ships can then travel to the rest of the world. While Iran and Oman have its territorial waters in the strait, its viewed as an international waterway all ships can ply. The United Arab Emirates, home to the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai, also sits near the waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz through history has been important for trade, with ceramics, ivory, silk and textiles moving from China through the region. In the modern era of supertankers, the narrow strait proved deep and wide enough to allow for oil to pass through it. While there are pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the UAE that can avoid the passage, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says "most volumes that transit the strait have no alternative means of exiting the region." The vast majority of the oil and gas moving through the strait goes to markets in Asia. Threats to the route have spiked global energy prices in the past, including during the 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June.

A notice to mariners sent Thursday by radio warned that Iran planned to conduct "naval shooting" in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and Monday. The coordinates provided by the message put the drill potentially going into what is known as the Traffic Separation Scheme - a 3.2-kilometer- (2-mile-) wide, two-lane system in which ships coming into the Persian Gulf go north and ships exiting onto the Gulf of Oman go south. That northern lane is within the coordinates of the drill. While Iran has provided no other public details about the drills, it will likely involve the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The Guard operates a fleet of small fast-attack vessels in the strait that routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. Navy.

Early Saturday, the U.S. military's Central Command issued a strongly worded warning to Iran and the Revolutionary Guard over the drill. While acknowledging Iran's "right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters," it warned against interfering or threatening American warships or passing commercial vessels. The command, which oversees the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, said it "will not tolerate unsafe (Guard) actions" that could include its aircraft or vessels getting too close to American warships or pointing weapons toward them. The command added that "the U.S. military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world."

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a military strike against Iran after its bloody crackdown on nationwide protests. He has laid down two red lines - the killing of peaceful protesters and Iran launching a wave of mass executions of those held. In recent days, he's also included the fate of Iran's nuclear program. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and supporting guided missile destroyers are now in the Arabian Sea where they could launch an attack if Trump calls for it. Iran has warned it could launch its own preemptive strike or target American interests across the Middle East and Israel. While the 12-day war saw Iran fire off ballistic missiles and Israel target its stockpile, Tehran maintains an arsenal of short- and medium-range missiles that could hit surrounding Gulf Arab states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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