Evening news wrap: PM Modi, Brazilian president set $20 billion trade target; Delhi on alert after terror intel & more | India News

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Delhi on alert: Lashkar-e-Taiba ‘plotting’ IED attack in Red Fort, Chandni Chowk area

An intelligence alert has been issued in Delhi after warning of a possible terror threat near the Red Fort, with sources saying terrorists may target a temple in the Chandni Chowk area and Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba allegedly planning an IED attack while keeping important religious sites on its radar. Inputs also claim the group is seeking revenge for the February 6 mosque blast in Islamabad, though authorities have not publicly confirmed specifics and security has been beefed up at sensitive locations. The warning comes in the backdrop of the November 10 fatal car blast near the Red Fort that killed 15 people. Read the full story

Prime Minister ModiBrazilian President Lula signs rare earth deal; A trade target of more than 20 billion dollars

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have set a target of raising bilateral trade to $20 billion over five years and signed three agreements on digital partnership, rare earths and mining supply chain after talks in New Delhi during the Brazilian leader’s February 18-22 state visit, where PM Modi said India “reflects the pressure and stress of the past”. Brazil remains India’s largest trading partner in Latin America; The leaders pledged deeper cooperation in emerging technologies, renewable energy and sustainable energy, while Lula described the engagement as a meeting of two major Global South democracies and called India a “digital superpower”.“Read the full story

4 Youth Congress workers sent to 5-day custody for ‘shirtless’ protest at AI Impact Summit

A Delhi court granted five-day police custody to four members of the Indian Youth Congress arrested for staging a shirtless protest inside the Bharat Mandapam during the AI ​​Impact Summit, after Delhi police alleged that the protest was possibly part of a larger conspiracy linked to a protest pattern seen in Nepal and aimed at defaming the country internationally. Police told the court that the accused raised anti-national slogans against the India-US trade deal, wore T-shirts with messages targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and injured three policemen during the protest. Read the full story

‘All development studies’: India reacts after US Supreme Court withdraws Trump tariffs

While the government said it is closely studying the developments and implications of the US Supreme Court ruling rejecting the sweeping global tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the commerce ministry noted that it has considered both the ruling and the next steps announced by the US administration. The court, in a 6-3 ruling authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, found the tariffs violated federal law, after which Trump called the decision “appalling” and said he would impose a new 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, replacing existing Sections 232 and 301. He also emphasized that the Indo-US trade deal would not be affected. Read the full story

Indian-origin executive Asha Sharma has been appointed CEO of Microsoft Gaming

Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma, widely regarded as Indian-born, as chief executive of its gaming division, succeeding longtime Xbox chief Phil Spencer, who is retiring after nearly four decades and will remain an adviser by summer, as the company faces sluggish growth, rising costs and stiff competition in the global gaming market. Sharma will report directly to Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella. The leadership change comes as Microsoft Gaming faces multiple pressures. Read the full story