kottayam l sunday l february 22, 2026 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l city EDITION canada seeks to withhold key information in nijjar trial Canada is seeking to withhold sensitive evidence in the murder trial of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, citing international security trial not expected before august 2026 case strained india-canada relations The trial of four accused Indian nationals—Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Amandeep Singh (charged with murder and conspiracy)—remains in the pre-trial phase in British Columbia Supreme Court. Trial is not expected before August 2026, per the BC Prosecution Service. The case is under a publication ban during the pre-trial ■ ■ The killing occurred on June 18, 2023, when Nijjar was shot outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, BC, where he was president The case strained India-Canada relations after then PM Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in the murder. India denied the claims as “absurd” and “motivated”, stating no specific evidence was shared Section 38 of canada evidence act protects sharing of sensitive info CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Day after, Trump jacks up global tariff to 15 pc Indian exporters uncertain about the actual quantum of levy; Union govt studying the situation Ministry of Commerce said. Meanwhile, sections of the US media Uncertainty prevails over the ac- reported that all tariffs imposed by the tual tariff Indian goods would attract Trump administration on trading partafter the US Supreme Court struck ners have been suspended and that the down the reciprocal levy imposed by new 15% tariff is now applicable. Howthe Trump administration on Friday. ever, a fact sheet issued by the White Shortly after the verdict, House said Executive Order Trump announced a uniform 14257 of April 2, 2025 — which 10% global tariff on all nations. regulates imports through reOn Saturday he scaled up that , ciprocal tariffs to address large figure to 15%, which is 3% and persistent US goods trade short of the 18% levy he had deficits — has been amended announced for India early this (not suspended or month. withdrawn). During the next few months, Indian exporters are await“the Trump administration ing clarity on whether 15% or Effective will determine and issue new 18% would apply For now, they . immediately, and legally permissible tar- (I am) raising the are in a wait-and-watch mode. 10% Worldwide iffs”, he said on social media. Ashwin Chandran, Chairman With Trump claiming on Fri- Tariff on Countries of the Confederation of Indian ... to the fully day that “nothing has changed” Textile Industry said: “Greater , allowed, and for India, confusion persisted clarity from authorities, inlegally tested, on the actual quantum of levy . cluding on what happens to the 15% level The judgment came at a time interim India–US trade deal, Donald J Trump when India is on the verge of would be most helpful.” signing of a Bilateral Trade The Trump administration Agreement with the US. The Modi has also indicated it may rely on Secgovernment has not yet clarified the tion 301 or Section 232 provisions to imstatus of the interim negotiations. pose higher tariffs. Section 301 of the On Saturday, it said it is analysing Trade Act of 1974 empowers the US the developments before taking a final Trade Representative to investigate and view. “We are studying all develop- respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable ments for their implications,” the or discriminatory trade practices. P u s h p i ta D e y @ New Delhi Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi with (front row, from left) Kiran Prakash (Resident Editor-Kerala, TNIE ), Lakshmi Menon (CEO, TNIE ), Sosamma Iype, Radhamani Amma, Nalini Chandran, Prabhu Chawla (Editorial Director, TNIE ), Paris Laxmi, (second row, from left) P S Jalaja, A Seema, Abhaya Hiranmayi, Reshma Suresh, P Bhanumathi, Kapila Venu and Litty Chacko, during the Devi Awards presentation ceremony in Kochi on Saturday | T P Sooraj ‘Shakti’ shines bright as devis take centrestage Express News Service invoking Malayalam poet Balamani Amma’s timeless line, “Even in silence, she writes history Un,” ion Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Tourism Suresh Gopi honoured 11 exceptional women from Kerala at the 38th edition of the Devi Awards in Kochi on Saturday . Hosted by The New Indian Express Group, the evening was a salute to women whose journeys, often shaped by quiet determination, have created lasting impact across fields and communities. Presenting the awards, Suresh described women as embodiments of “Shakti” — the force of creation, protection and transformation. “As we gather here today, we are not merely acknowledging achievements, we are saluting living embodiments of that Shakti — women whose determination and courage have created meaningful impact in society the minister said. ,” At Taj Vivanta overlooking the backwaters, stories of grit filled the venue. Among those honoured were animal conservationist Sosamma Iype, whose life’s work has been devoted to protecting voiceless beings, and scientist A Seema, whose research has expanded scientific understanding. Scholar Litty Chacko and educator Nalini Chandran Wish to serve Guruvayurappan till I die, says Suresh Gopi Kochi: Union Minister Suresh Gopi said his greatest personal wish was to serve as chairman of the Guruvayur Devaswom Board. “I want to serve Guruvayurappan as the board chairman and die. That’s my greatest and only wish,” he said. He was responding to a question by TNIE Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla on whether he would be the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate if the party comes to power in Kerala. India-Brazil pact to deepen coop on critical minerals j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi INDIA and Brazil on Saturday agreed to deepen cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths while setting an ambitious bilateral trade target of over $20 billion annually within the next five years, following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Lula is in India on a five-day visit, during which he is also attending the India AI Impact Summit. Addressing the media after delegation-level discussions, Modi described Brazil as India’s largest trading partner in Latin America and said the two were committed to expanding economic engagement. “We are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the next five years. Our trade is not just a figure, it is a reflection of trust,” he said. Bilateral trade stood President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi greet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as he arrives in New Delhi | Shekhar Yadav at $12 billion in 2024–25, with Indian exports at $6.77 billion and imports from Brazil at $5.43 billion. A key outcome of the talks was an agreement on cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths. The two countries also signed a joint declaration on digital partnership and MoUs covering mining, MSMEs, healthcare and traditional knowledge systems. were recognised for shaping minds and nurturing futures, while visual artist P S Jalaja’s work reflected creative endurance. The evening also celebrated Kapila Venu, whose mastery of Koodiyattam sustains an ancient cultural legacy, and Dr P Bhanumathi, whose social service has lifted countless lives. Entrepreneur Reshma Suresh’s enterprise, Radhamani Amma’s inspiring journey as a heavy vehicle driver, and Paris Laxmi’s artistic presence across dance and cinema embodied courage in unconventional spaces. Completing the constellation was singer Abhaya Hiranmayi, whose voice carries emotion across generations. Reflecting on Kerala’s legacy the , minister said its women continue to lead — in education, healthcare, science, entrepreneurship and arts — turning barriers into breakthroughs, resilience into quiet revolution. P2 EXPRESS READ After uncertainty, Kerala Blasters game to go ahead Kochi: On a day of dramatic turn of events, a last minute deal has ensured that Kerala Blasters will host their first Indian Super League home match of the season in Kochi on Sunday, as scheduled earlier. The commotion over pending agreement between the Greater Cochin Development Authority and Kerala Blasters on renting the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for ISL matches had put a cloud of uncertainty over the match. P11 Today’s Matches 3pm: England vs, Sri Lanka (Pallekele); 7pm: India vs South Africa (Ahmedabad) 88 nations adopt declaration on equitable AI Voluntary initiatives The summit also launched several voluntary and nonbinding global initiatives. They include a charter for democratic diffusion of AI, a Global AI Impact Commons to share successful use cases, a Trusted AI Commons with tools and best practices, and a global AI-for-science network R a k e s h K u m a r @ New Delhi As many as 88 countries, including the US, UK, China and the EU, along with several international organisations, endorsed the New Delhi Declaration at the end of the India AI Impact Summit, which committed itself to ensuring an equitable AI. The declaration set out a shared approach to AI governance and development. “The advent of AI marks an inflection point in the trajectory of technological evolution. The choices that we make today will shape the AIenabled world that future generations will inherit,” the declaration said. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the declaration is built around seven key pillars — democratising AI resources, promoting economic growth and social good, building secure and trusted AI, expanding access for social empowerment, advancing AI for science, developing human capital, and creating resilient and efficient AI systems. The document calls for affordable access to foundational AI resources and support for local innovation ecosystems. It also proposes platforms to scale successful AI use cases globally . WITH THIS ISSUE The Many Lives of LOVE Then and Now PLUS 12 P AGES