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  • Look: Manish Malhotra delivers a grand finale at Dubai Fashion Week 2026

    Look: Manish Malhotra delivers a grand finale at Dubai Fashion Week 2026

    DUBAI – Celebrated designer Manish Malhotra brought Dubai Fashion Week 2026 to a magnificent close with his showcase ‘Inaya: The India Story,’ solidifying his status as a bridge between traditional Indian craftsmanship and contemporary global luxury. The grand finale, held on February 8, featured Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon as the showstopper, embodying the collection’s fusion of heritage and modernity.

    Malhotra’s presentation demonstrated a design philosophy that transcends generational and geographical boundaries. While deeply anchored in India’s rich artisanal traditions, the collection was curated for a global audience, reflecting an aesthetic that has long attracted international icons from Jennifer Lopez to Kim Kardashian, alongside Bollywood royalty.

    The showcase highlighted Malhotra’s evolving creative vision through a diverse range of garments including intricately designed abayas, elegant gowns, structured blazers, and reinvented saris. The expansion into luxury accessories—featuring bags and belts—signaled the brand’s strategic growth into new market verticals.

    In a post-show discussion, Malhotra elaborated on his selection criteria for showstoppers, emphasizing that contemporary influence surpasses mere stardom. ‘I am increasingly drawn to accomplished women who are rooted in tradition yet modern and classic—women who walk the ramp with confidence,’ he stated.

    The designer also reflected on Dubai’s significant role in his brand’s international narrative, noting the city’s innate understanding of craftsmanship and opulence. This relationship was further cemented in 2023 with the inauguration of his flagship store in The Dubai Mall, creating a permanent dialogue between Indian haute couture and Middle Eastern luxury markets.

    Malhotra’s closing act for Dubai Fashion Week continues his legacy of high-profile finales, following his 2025 showcase featuring supermodels Valery Kaufman and Adriana Lima, reaffirming his position on the global fashion stage.

  • France murder trial complicated by twin brothers with same DNA

    France murder trial complicated by twin brothers with same DNA

    A remarkable murder trial near Paris has encountered an unprecedented forensic challenge as identical twin defendants share indistinguishable DNA profiles, creating a legal impasse in determining which brother fired the lethal weapon. The 33-year-old brothers stand among five defendants facing charges for a 2020 double homicide and subsequent attempted killings that shocked the French capital.

    According to extensive reporting by Le Parisien, forensic experts confirmed that DNA recovered from an assault rifle used in one of the shooting incidents definitively belongs to one twin—but science cannot determine which brother handled the weapon. The genetic identicality of monozygotic twins, who develop from a single fertilized egg, has created an evidentiary deadlock unprecedented in French judicial history.

    Court proceedings in Bobigny have revealed extraordinary measures taken by the brothers to exploit their physical similarity. Investigators testified that the twins systematically exchanged clothing, mobile phones, and identification documents, potentially manipulating their resemblance to obscure individual culpability. ‘Only their mother can tell them apart,’ one investigator stated during tense courtroom exchanges that resulted in both twins being expelled from proceedings on Tuesday for refusing to stand.

    With genetic analysis rendered useless, prosecutors have built their case using extensive circumstantial evidence including telecommunications records, surveillance footage, wiretap intercepts, and meticulous timeline reconstruction. Both brothers remain suspected of conspiring to plot the initial double murder, but the critical question of which twin physically committed the shooting remains scientifically unanswerable.

    The judicial dilemma highlights the limitations of forensic science when confronted with identical DNA profiles. As the trial continues toward its anticipated conclusion in late February, the court must navigate this genetic paradox to deliver justice while acknowledging the fundamental impossibility of determining which twin fired the fatal shots based on biological evidence alone.

  • What’s at stake for Indian agriculture in Trump’s trade deal?

    What’s at stake for Indian agriculture in Trump’s trade deal?

    A newly brokered trade agreement between the United States and India has ignited significant apprehension among Indian agricultural stakeholders, who fear the arrangement disproportionately favors American interests. The deal, announced jointly on February 8, 2026, involves India committing to eliminate or reduce tariffs on a comprehensive range of US industrial goods and agricultural products, including tree nuts, select fresh fruits, soybean oil, wine, and spirits.

    In reciprocal terms, the United States will implement an 18 percent tariff on Indian exports spanning textiles, apparel, leather goods, footwear, plastic and rubber products, organic chemicals, and specific machinery categories. The announcement came alongside President Donald Trump’s revelation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to cease Russian oil purchases, adding geopolitical dimensions to the economic agreement.

    While Prime Minister Modi celebrated the pact as a job-creating opportunity engine, agricultural coalitions expressed vehement opposition. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), representing multiple farmers’ unions, condemned the arrangement as a ‘total surrender’ to American agricultural conglomerates, warning that cheap imports would flood Indian markets and undermine domestic producers. The coalition has called for nationwide protests scheduled for February 12.

    Despite government assurances that sensitive sectors including grains, spices, dairy, poultry, meat, and certain fruits and vegetables remain protected, opposition lawmakers highlight particular vulnerability for soybean farmers in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The agreement facilitates increased imports of dried distillers’ grains and soybean oil, potentially displacing domestic soybean meal demand.

    Agricultural experts note the fundamental imbalance between India’s predominantly small-scale farming operations—supporting 45% of the population despite contributing only 16% to GDP—and the highly subsidized, industrial-scale American agricultural sector. This disparity raises concerns about long-term competitiveness, echoing previous farmer protests that forced policy reversals in 2021.

    Trade data from January-November 2025 already shows a 34% year-on-year increase in Indian agricultural imports from the US, reaching nearly $2.9 billion, predominantly in cotton, soybean oil, ethanol, and nuts. Further tariff reductions anticipated under the new agreement are expected to accelerate this trend, potentially reshaping India’s agricultural landscape.

  • Pakistan’s capital picks concrete over trees, angering residents

    Pakistan’s capital picks concrete over trees, angering residents

    Islamabad—once celebrated as Pakistan’s meticulously planned green capital—now faces an environmental crisis as widespread tree removal sparks public outrage and legal challenges. The city, originally designed in the 1960s with expansive parks and tree-lined sectors, has witnessed accelerated deforestation linked to infrastructure expansion and military monuments.

    According to Global Forest Watch, Islamabad lost approximately 14 hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2024—equivalent to 20 football pitches—though net changes accounting for replanting remain unspecified. Residents like Muhammad Naveed have initiated lawsuits against authorities, citing “large-scale tree cutting” that leaves land “barren.” The World Wide Fund for Nature attributes this ecological degradation to rampant development projects.

    The deforestation coincides with deteriorating air quality. Last month, Islamabad recorded zero days with healthy air quality, with most days classified as “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy” by IQAir. Forests traditionally serve as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and mitigating urban heat, but their rapid disappearance exacerbates environmental health risks.

    Officials from the Capital Development Authority justify partial tree removal by citing pollen allergies primarily caused by paper mulberry trees—a species planted extensively during the city’s early development. The government plans to remove 29,000 pollen-producing trees, though critics argue this rationale masks broader militarized urbanization.

    Anonymous government sources acknowledge military-linked land clearance for monuments commemorating recent conflicts with India. At one express highway site, over six hectares were cleared without subsequent replanting, indicating infrastructure-driven motives. Pakistan’s influential military, historically engaged in politics and economy, faces allegations of unchecked development practices.

    Environmental advocates emphasize that solutions require strategic replanting with non-allergenic species and transparent urban planning—not indiscriminate removal. As court cases proceed and bulldozers continue reshaping the capital, Islamabad’s identity hangs in the balance between modernization and ecological preservation.

  • Olympic court rejects Italian curler’s claim of nepotism for losing place to official’s daughter

    Olympic court rejects Italian curler’s claim of nepotism for losing place to official’s daughter

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal from Italian curler Angela Romei, who alleged nepotism influenced her exclusion from the national team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The ruling was issued Sunday following an expedited hearing.

    Romei contended that the Italian Curling Federation’s selection process was compromised by a conflict of interest when it named 19-year-old Rebecca Mariani to the team. Mariani is the daughter of Marco Mariani, the federation’s technical director and a former Olympian who competed when Italy last hosted the Winter Games in Turin in 2006.

    In her appeal, Romei, a European Championship silver and bronze medalist, presented herself as the more experienced and qualified athlete. The CAS judge acknowledged the concerns raised but ultimately found insufficient evidence to conclude that Mariani’s selection was unreasonable or that the head coach would intentionally choose an inferior athlete to benefit a federation official’s family.

    The court’s statement noted the judge was ‘not unsympathetic’ to Romei’s position but emphasized that the selection decision fell within the federation’s discretion. Rebecca Mariani is slated to serve as the reserve for the Italian women’s team, which will be skipped by Stefania Constantini, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles from the 2022 Beijing Games. The women’s curling competition is scheduled to begin Thursday in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

  • The Devil Still Dances: High Vigilance against Japanese Militarism’s Infiltration in Sports and Culture Fields

    The Devil Still Dances: High Vigilance against Japanese Militarism’s Infiltration in Sports and Culture Fields

    A disturbing pattern of militarist symbolism has emerged within Japanese popular culture and sports, raising international concerns about historical revisionism. Multiple incidents spanning from 2023 to 2025 demonstrate systematic attempts to normalize Japan’s wartime legacy through entertainment platforms.

    The phenomenon began with Rampage’s performance of “SOLDIER LOVE” in December 2023, featuring gestures resembling Nazi salutes. This was followed in August 2024 by table tennis stars Harimoto Tomokazu and Ishikawa Kasumi visiting Togo-Jinja, a shrine honoring war criminal Tōgō Heihachirō. Later that October, Snow Man’s music video featured a samurai sword inscribed with “Yasuji Okamura” and “Showa 15” – direct references to Imperial Japanese military leadership.

    Most recently in November 2025, footballer Kaoru Mitoma posed with young athletes while holding an image of Hiroo Onoda, the last Japanese WWII soldier to surrender, celebrated by right-wing elements as a militarist symbol. These incidents coincide with Pokémon and Detective Conan franchises incorporating questionable nationalist themes.

    Analysis indicates these are not isolated events but part of a coordinated strategy exploiting generational transitions. By embedding distorted historical narratives through anime, games, and celebrity influence, right-wing factions seek to disconnect youth from factual wartime history. This cultural manipulation creates ideological groundwork for militarism’s resurgence under the guise of entertainment and national pride.

    International observers note with concern how sports and cultural platforms become vectors for historical whitewashing, potentially undermining regional stability and peace foundations established post-WWII.

  • Iranian president says talks with US ‘step forward’

    Iranian president says talks with US ‘step forward’

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has characterized the recent indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States as a significant ‘step forward’ in bilateral relations. The assessment was conveyed through the president’s official social media channel on Sunday, following Friday’s diplomatic engagement in Muscat, Oman.

    The discussions, mediated by regional allies in West Asia, represent Iran’s continued commitment to peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic channels. President Pezeshkian emphasized that dialogue remains Tehran’s preferred methodology for addressing international disagreements.

    Concurrently, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who led the delegation in Muscat, delivered a firm address at a national conference in Tehran. ‘No one can dictate our capabilities or limitations,’ Araghchi asserted, simultaneously reaffirming Iran’s non-proliferation stance while rejecting external pressure tactics.

    The Foreign Minister outlined Tehran’s reciprocal diplomatic approach: ‘Communication based on respect will be met with respect, while language of force will be met with equivalent response.’ This statement reflects Iran’s consistent foreign policy doctrine amid escalating regional tensions.

    The negotiations occurred against a backdrop of heightened military posturing, including increased US military presence in the Middle East and corresponding Iranian preparedness measures. Despite these challenges, Araghchi characterized the talks as ‘a good start,’ while noting that continuation depends on subsequent consultations within respective capitals.

    The Muscat engagement represents the first substantive nuclear dialogue between the nations in several years, potentially signaling a thaw in previously frozen diplomatic channels. Both sides appear to be testing waters for possible future engagement while maintaining their core strategic positions.

  • Influential Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor dies at 90

    Influential Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor dies at 90

    The music world mourns the passing of Ghanaian guitar virtuoso and composer Ebo Taylor, whose pioneering work fundamentally shaped the highlife genre and inspired generations of African musicians. His family confirmed his death at age 90, concluding a remarkable six-decade career that left an indelible mark on global music.

    Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast in 1936, the artist emerged as a musical force during the late 1950s and 1960s as highlife dominated Ghana’s soundscape. Taylor developed his distinctive guitar technique and sophisticated arrangements while performing with legendary bands including the Stargazers and Broadway Dance Band, quickly establishing himself as an innovative musical mind.

    Taylor’s artistic evolution took a significant turn during the early 1960s when he traveled to London to formally study music. There he collaborated with fellow African visionaries including Nigerian revolutionary Fela Kuti, their creative exchange contributing to the foundational elements of what would become globally recognized as Afrobeat.

    Returning to Ghana, Taylor became one of the nation’s most sought-after producers, arrangers, and bandleaders, working with iconic artists including Pat Thomas and CK Mann. His creative output continued well into his later years, with albums like ‘Love & Death,’ ‘Appia Kwa Bridge,’ and ‘Yen Ara’ reinforcing his status as a foundational figure in African music.

    Beyond direct musical creation, Taylor’s influence expanded through extensive sampling of his work by international hip-hop and R&B artists. His compositions including ‘Heaven,’ ‘Odofo Nyi Akyiri Biara,’ and particularly ‘Love & Death’ have been reinterpreted by major artists including Usher, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland, Jidenna, Vic Mensa, and Rapsody, introducing his distinctive sound to new global audiences.

    Taylor’s legacy represents a crucial bridge between traditional African rhythms and contemporary sounds, seamlessly blending Ghanaian musical heritage with jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat. His innovative approach grounded in cultural continuity continues to inform modern genres including afrobeats, ensuring his permanent place in the history of African popular music.

  • Top Hamas leader rejects disarmament or ‘foreign rule’

    Top Hamas leader rejects disarmament or ‘foreign rule’

    In a definitive address delivered at a Doha conference on Sunday, senior Hamas leader Khaled Meshal emphatically declared the Palestinian Islamist movement’s refusal to surrender its weapons or accept foreign governance in Gaza. This stance directly challenges key demands from both Israeli and American authorities regarding the territory’s future.

    Meshal, a former head of the organization, stated that resistance remains an inherent right for occupied peoples. ‘Criminalising the resistance, its weapons, and those who carried it out is something we should not accept,’ he asserted before attendees. ‘As long as there is occupation, there is resistance. Resistance is a right of peoples under occupation… something nations take pride in.’

    The declaration comes during the second phase of a US-brokered ceasefire that envisions demilitarization of Gaza alongside a gradual Israeli military withdrawal. While Hamas has consistently maintained that disarmament represents an absolute ‘red line,’ the group has previously indicated potential willingness to transfer weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority.

    Current governance discussions center around a newly established Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with administering Gaza’s daily affairs. However, the critical question of how demilitarization might be implemented remains unresolved. This committee operates under the recently formed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative launched by US President Donald Trump during last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos.

    Originally conceived to oversee ceasefire implementation and reconstruction efforts, the Board’s expanding mandate has raised concerns among critics who fear it could potentially evolve into a rival institution to the United Nations. The accompanying Gaza Executive Board—an advisory panel featuring prominent international figures including US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair—provides additional oversight.

    Meshal specifically addressed the Board of Peace, urging adoption of a ‘balanced approach’ that facilitates reconstruction and humanitarian aid delivery for Gaza’s 2.2 million residents. Simultaneously, he issued a stark warning against foreign intervention: ‘We adhere to our national principles and reject the logic of guardianship, external intervention, or the return of a mandate in any form. Palestinians are to govern Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and to Palestine. We will not accept foreign rule.’

  • What is Dubai chewy cookie? This dessert is selling out in minutes in South Korea

    What is Dubai chewy cookie? This dessert is selling out in minutes in South Korea

    A remarkable dessert phenomenon is sweeping across South Korea as the Dubai chewy cookie continues to captivate consumers and create unprecedented demand. This unique confection, despite its biscuit-like name, features an innovative texture resembling traditional rice cakes, combining premium pistachio cream and crispy knafeh pastry encased within a glossy chocolate marshmallow exterior.

    The culinary craze originated in September 2025 when K-pop sensation Jang Won-young from girl group Ive posted an Instagram photograph featuring the distinctive treat. This single social media moment triggered an explosive consumer response that has transformed South Korea’s food landscape. According to BBC reports, bakeries are experiencing unprecedented sales, with hundreds of cookies selling out within minutes of stocking.

    The demand has become so intense that restaurants traditionally focused on savory offerings—including sushi establishments and cold-noodle specialty shops—have rapidly incorporated the Dubai chewy cookie into their menus. Current market prices range from 5,000 won (approximately Dh12.55) to 10,000 won (Dh25.10), with anticipated increases due to rising ingredient costs.

    Convenience store chain CU has reported staggering sales figures, moving 1.8 million units since introducing their version in October 2025. The phenomenon has generated innovative consumer responses, including crowdsourced real-time mapping systems that track inventory availability across retailers. Some establishments have implemented purchase limitations per customer to manage the overwhelming demand.

    The social impact has extended beyond commercial spheres, with the Korean Red Cross successfully utilizing the cookies as donation incentives during winter blood shortages. The Korea Times reported that donation rates doubled or even tripled at various centers following this initiative.

    While the dessert bears Dubai’s name, availability within the emirate remains limited. Potential seekers might explore the Korea pavilion at Global Village as a possible source for these coveted treats.