A sharp political debate has erupted over the proposed trade arrangement between India and the United States, with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of undermining domestic agricultural interests. Gandhi alleged that the agreement could expose Indian farmers to unfair competition and raised concerns over the possible import of genetically modified soy oil. The government has yet to release comprehensive details of the pact, prompting calls for transparency.

The long-negotiated trade accord between India and the United Kingdom is expected to be operational from April 2026, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral economic relations. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, will allow 99 percent of Indian exports to enter the British market at zero duty, while India will gradually reduce tariffs on selected British goods, including automobiles and Scotch whisky. A parallel social security arrangement, the Double Contributions Convention, will ease compliance burdens for temporary workers.

Valentine’s Day promotions have triggered notable price reductions on the iPhone 17 lineup across leading retailers in India, including Vijay Sales, Croma and Apple Inc.’s official online store. Discounts span the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models, with price variations reflecting retailer strategies. Beyond pricing, the series features performance upgrades through the A18 and A19 Pro chipsets, alongside display enhancements and improved power efficiency.

Apple Inc. has reiterated that its next-generation, AI-powered version of Siri remains scheduled for release in 2026, despite mounting speculation about internal delays. The enhanced assistant, positioned as a cornerstone of the company’s broader Apple Intelligence initiative unveiled at WWDC 2024, has yet to materialize. Reports suggested technical setbacks could push the rollout beyond iOS 26.4. However, a senior executive has publicly reaffirmed the 2026 target.

India’s benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, ended the week with losses exceeding 1 percent, pressured by a sharp correction in information technology stocks and shifting expectations around U.S. monetary policy. Concerns over artificial intelligence-led disruption triggered heavy selling in frontline IT names, erasing nearly Rs. 5.7 lakh crore in market capitalization within eight sessions. Meanwhile, softer U.S. inflation data revived hopes of rate cuts, though currency volatility and geopolitical tensions add uncertainty.

The Prime Minister Internship Scheme, launched by the Government of India to enhance employability among young graduates, has recorded a muted response in Punjab. Despite the state’s persistent challenge of educated unemployment, participation levels and candidate retention have remained below expectations. The programme offers structured industry exposure and a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 to selected interns placed across leading companies.

The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board has released its Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification under Advertisement No. 02 of 2026, inviting applications for clerical positions across multiple state departments. The online registration portal went live on February 14, 2026, and will remain open until March 6, 2026. The recruitment process will be conducted through direct selection procedures as outlined in the official notification. Candidates are advised to review eligibility criteria, selection stages and procedural requirements carefully.

The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has sanctioned a comprehensive Rs. 52 crore flood protection initiative for Sri Anandpur Sahib, targeting recurrent monsoon-related damage in vulnerable riverine settlements. Announced by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, the plan prioritizes embankment strengthening, revetment construction and long-term infrastructure resilience along the Satluj and Swan rivers. The project aims to safeguard agricultural land, residential areas and critical assets while reducing fiscal exposure to annual disaster relief spending.

In a significant development within Punjab’s political landscape, senior leader Arvind Khanna has transitioned from the Bharatiya Janata Party to the Shiromani Akali Dal. The move was formalized in Sangrur in the presence of Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Khanna, who previously served as vice president of the BJP’s Punjab unit and as a legislator, brings organizational experience and regional influence to his new political home.

On February 14, 2026, Isha Ambani convened a high-level roundtable titled “Celebration of Women Leadership in India” at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. The event brought together influential figures from business, fashion, cinema and social advocacy, including Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah as guest of honor. The gathering underscored India’s evolving leadership landscape for women, spotlighting mentorship, cross-border collaboration and corporate inclusion.