Month: February 2026

President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States and India have finalized a new trade deal that lowers tariffs on Indian imports and reshapes India’s energy purchases, following a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under the deal, the U.S. will reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, while India has agreed to cut its tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American products to zero. Trump said the agreement also includes a major commitment from India to significantly increase purchases of U.S. goods, totaling more than $500 billion across sectors such as energy, technology, agriculture, and coal.

A central element of the deal involves energy imports. Trump said Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and instead source more crude from the United States and “potentially” Venezuela. India has been one of Russia’s largest oil customers during the war in Ukraine, importing roughly 1.5 million barrels per day, according to global trade data. Trump framed the shift as a step that could help pressure Moscow and contribute to ending the conflict.

Trump referred to Modi as “one of my greatest friends” and said India also plans to invest in American products “at a much higher level” beyond the $500 billion commitment. The President wrote on Truth Social: “He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week! Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from 25% to 18%. They will likewise move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States, to ZERO.”

While Trump did not specify how quickly India could replace Russian oil, analysts note that Venezuela’s oil sector would require significant investment to substantially increase output. The White House also did not clarify whether additional penalties tied to Russian oil purchases would remain in effect during the transition.

Although India is not among the United States’ top trading partners, the deal could still have a notable impact. In 2025, the U.S. imported $95.5 billion in goods from India and exported $42 billion worth of products to the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Modi later confirmed the agreement and welcomed the reduced tariffs: “Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%  Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement. When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.”

The announcement comes shortly after India finalized a separate trade agreement with the European Union, underscoring New Delhi’s broader push to expand global trade ties amid shifting geopolitical and economic pressures.

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Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, are back in Minnesota after a federal judge ordered their release from an immigration detention center in Texas, ending a case that sparked national outrage and drew sharp criticism of federal immigration enforcement tactics.

Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro posted on social media that he picked up the father and son from the Texas facility Saturday night and accompanied them back to Minnesota early Sunday. Castro wrote, “Five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.  Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack. Thank you to everyone who demanded freedom for Liam. We won’t stop until all children and families are home.”  A spokesperson for Castro said the pair arrived home safely, reuniting Liam with his mother and younger brother.

Castro also shared a handwritten letter he gave the child during their flight back, telling Liam that he had “moved the world.” In the letter, Castro wrote, “Your family, school and many strangers said prayers for you and offered whatever they could do to see you back home. Don’t let anyone tell you this isn’t your home. America became the most powerful, prosperous nation on earth because of immigrants not in spite of them.” Minnesota Democrats also welcomed the family home, with Rep. Ilhan Omar posting a photo with Liam, his father and Castro, writing, “Welcome home Liam,” alongside two heart emojis.

Liam and his father — an asylum seeker from Ecuador — were taken into custody on Jan. 20 in a Minneapolis suburb shortly after returning home from the boy’s preschool. They were later transferred to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, despite having an active asylum case and no deportation order. Images of Liam wearing a blue bunny hat and carrying a Spider-Man backpack while surrounded by immigration officers quickly went viral, fueling protests and drawing condemnation from elected officials and advocates across the country. During a visit to the detention center, Castro said Liam was struggling emotionally and physically.

The Department of Homeland Security disputed claims that Liam was targeted, saying ICE conducted a “targeted operation” to arrest his father. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the child was not arrested and accused Conejo Arias of fleeing and leaving his son behind. She also said officers attempted to place Liam with his “alleged mother,” who she claimed refused custody, and stated that Conejo Arias requested his son remain with him. McLaughlin said in a statement, “The Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and common sense to our immigration system, and will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country.”

In a court order granting their release, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sharply rebuked the federal government, writing, “The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children. Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency, and the rule of law be damned.” While Judge Biery acknowledged the family could still face removal in the future, he said any outcome should come “through a more orderly and humane policy than currently in place.”

Conejo Arias told ABC News during the flight home to Minnesota that “I’m happy to finally be going home,” adding that Liam was also excited to reunite with his family. He described conditions inside the Texas facility as poor and said his son became ill, and was denied medication. He emphasized that his family entered the U.S. legally in 2023 using the CBP One app, attended all required hearings, and posed no flight risk. Conejo Arias said he hopes to remain in the US, explaining that his family fled Ecuador out of fear. “I asked for asylum to be be here for my family, for my children. I’m here because I’m scared of returning to my country.” Conejo Arias’ first immigration court hearing is scheduled for later this month.

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Three Northern Arizona University students who held leadership roles in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity were arrested on hazing charges after an 18-year-old student was found dead following a fraternity-related gathering in Flagstaff.

Flagstaff police were called at 8:44 a.m. Saturday to a home in the 10 block of South Pinegrove Road after reports of an unresponsive male. According to police, people inside the residence began CPR before officers arrived, and first responders continued life-saving efforts until paramedics reached the scene. The student was pronounced dead there. His name was not released, though authorities confirmed next-of-kin notifications had been completed.

Investigators determined the student had attended a fraternity event at the residence the night before as part of NAU’s spring recruitment period. Police said the gathering was connected to Delta Tau Delta and involved alcohol consumption by multiple attendees, including pledge candidates and the deceased student.

As the investigation unfolded, detectives executed search warrants at the house and conducted several interviews. Three fraternity executive board members — vice president Ryan Creech, treasurer Riley Cass, and new member educator Carter Eslick, all 20 — were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on charges of hazing.

Arizona law treats hazing as a class 1 misdemeanor, but when it results in a death, the charge can be elevated to a class 4 felony. For a first-time, non-dangerous offense, that carries a possible prison sentence ranging from one year to 3.75 years, with probation also an option. Police said the investigation remains active as they work with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause and manner of death. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Flagstaff police or Silent Witness. Authorities say further updates will be released as the investigation progresses.

In a statement, the university said: “Northern Arizona University is mourning the tragic death of a student on Saturday. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his family, friends and all members of our community who are grieving. We are aware that the Flagstaff Police Department has announced criminal charges against three NAU students in connection with an incident that occurred at an off-campus residence associated with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. We appreciate the diligence of the Flagstaff Police Department as they work to establish the facts and pursue accountability, and NAU stands ready to support the investigation as it unfolds. We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. Violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU.”

Northern Arizona University placed the Delta Tau Delta chapter on interim suspension, citing alleged violations related to hazing, alcohol, harm, off-campus conduct and other student code policies. The fraternity had returned to NAU in 2020 after a four-year absence and now joins other Greek organizations previously suspended for similar violations. Delta Tau Delta’s international organization also confirmed the local chapter remains on interim suspension while both criminal and internal reviews continue, emphasizing that hazing violates the fraternity’s core values.

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