The Supreme Court reprimanded the West Bengal government for repeatedly filing vague complaints to delay the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The court clarified that while the High Court Chief Justice would decide deployment modalities, judicial officers alone would assess voter claims and document validity, urging the state to cooperate for expeditious completion.
Cabinet ministers will personally present major reforms undertaken by their ministries since June 2024 in the upcoming meeting. This initiative aims to reduce compliance burdens and simplify rules for ease of living and business. Ministries are preparing two-page summaries of their most significant people-centric reforms for the presentation.
A Delhi-bound air ambulance carrying seven people, including a patient, doctor, and two crew members, crashed in Jharkhand shortly after taking off from Ranchi. The Beechcraft C90 aircraft lost contact with air traffic control after requesting a weather deviation. A search and rescue operation is underway, with an investigation team dispatched.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel soon. He expressed his eagerness for the trip on social media. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the visit as historic. The leaders emphasized the strong bond between India and Israel. They highlighted cooperation in innovation and security. The partnership continues to grow across various sectors.
India and Brazil inked a critical minerals agreement and set a $30 billion trade target by 2030, aiming to build resilient supply chains and reduce dependence on China. Leaders also discussed UN reforms and technology cooperation, emphasizing Global South solidarity and shared progress.
Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi's Australia visit from Feb 16-19 focused on enhancing army-to-army cooperation. Discussions with senior defence leaders reviewed joint exercises, professional education exchanges, and interoperability, deepening strategic alignment. The visit also emphasized strengthening the bilateral Army Exercise AUSTRAHIND.
Speaking in the assembly, Omar urged legislators “not to politicise every issue” and clarified that the Feb 18 order was issued by the Kishtwar deputy commissioner (DC) after consulting religious leaders as a safety measure to check donation deceptions. “We shouldn’t mix religion with politics. Some matters require dialogue and understanding at the local level rather than political confrontation,” Omar said.
Chowdhury said most political parties had now realised the importance of Hindus in electoral politics, noting that their support was crucial in at least 80 of the total 297 constituencies in National Parliament.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted his commitment against media censorship and using government advertisements for influence. He pledged to rationalize the advertisement policy for transparency, basing allocations on objective criteria like circulation and readership. Abdullah also highlighted efforts to fill thousands of vacant government posts and stressed the urgency of climate change response for the region.
A new report reveals significant hurdles for persons with disabilities in accessing India's justice system. Inaccessible police stations, a lack of trained personnel like sign language interpreters, and inadequate legal aid are major concerns. Many PwDs remain unaware of their rights, facing infrastructural and attitudinal barriers when seeking help from law enforcement.
Authorities are intensifying their search for local gangster Karanjit Singh, also known as Gugga, who escaped a Jammu juvenile home with two Pakistani inmates. The Pakistani nationals were apprehended in Ambala and handed over to Jammu and Kashmir Police. Gugga, believed to be the escape's architect, remains at large, with his mother also missing.
A young Army aspirant traveling for her NCC exam has accused a TTE of attempted rape in a First AC coach of the Ahmedabad-Gorakhpur Express. The incident occurred on Sunday. The TTE allegedly offered her a berth after she boarded without a ticket, then threatened her.
Jammu and Kashmir government will not sterilize monkeys despite crop destruction and public safety concerns. Instead, it plans to promote monkey-resistant crops, solar fencing, and deterrent devices. Farmers are also urged to stop feeding the animals, as the simian population continues to pose a major challenge.
The SHe-Box portal received 254 sexual harassment complaints last year, with 296 filed since its August 2024 revamp. The portal aims to streamline reporting and monitoring of the POSH Act, with 105 of the 296 complaints already disposed of. Over 1,48,700 workplaces have been onboarded, and automated notifications ensure timely complaint resolution.
Ladakh's major political groups, LAB and KDA, were informed by the Centre that neither Sixth Schedule status nor statehood will be granted. Instead, a 'territorial council' model was proposed, which leaders dismissed as a 'farce.' Disagreements arose over the Sixth Schedule's effectiveness and Ladakh's financial viability for statehood.
Bangladesh votes Thursday in an election with significant implications for India. With Sheikh Hasina out, India hopes the frontrunner BNP can reset ties, despite historical friction. A tight contest is expected between the BNP alliance and a bloc led by Jamaat-e-Islami. India also eyes a constitutional referendum and key security concerns, including insurgent groups and Chinese influence.
Samba police apprehended a drug peddler after he attempted to deposit counterfeit currency. Investigations stemming from this incident led to the seizure of approximately 1.9kg of a cocaine-like substance, valued at Rs 19.4 crore. The suspect, a driver by profession, confessed to a long-standing involvement in cocaine sales, with the recovered drugs found in a factory garage.
Iran's ambassador to India highlighted the Chabahar Port project as a testament to strong India-Iran partnership, crucial for regional connectivity and development. This initiative builds upon millennia of shared history and culture.
BJP leader Sunil Sharma challenged the National Conference's demand for Jammu and Kashmir's "special status," stating the term is not in the Indian Constitution. Sunil Sharma argued that Article 370, which NC claims defined this status, has been "buried," dismissing the demand as baseless and accusing NC of misleading voters.
Kashmiri Shia Muslims held protests across the region condemning a suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad. The attack killed over 30 people during Friday prayers. Demonstrations occurred in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Bandipora. Protesters voiced anger against the Pakistani government and expressed solidarity with the victims. Some raised slogans supporting Syed Hassan Nasrallah, Palestine, and Hezbollah.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented a Rs 1.27-lakh crore budget for 2026-27, addressing challenges from recent attacks and floods. The budget includes provisions for emergency hospitals, bullet-proof ambulances, fee waivers for economically weaker students, and support for orphans and disabled individuals. Opposition leaders criticized the budget, calling it uninspiring and a repackaging of central schemes.
India has vehemently rejected Pakistan's claims linking New Delhi to a suicide bombing at an Islamabad mosque, calling the allegations "baseless and pointless." Pakistan's defence minister had alleged collusion between India and Afghanistan, which India dismissed as self-delusion for internal problems. The attack killed at least 31 people.
Congress on Wednesday said the bigger issue in the Lok Sabha was that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak, as the Prime Minister’s reply depends on the LoP’s questions. Without this, no debate could take place. Opposition protests led to dramatic scenes and the adjournment of the House.
Addressing the BJP-led NDA parliamentary party meeting where he was felicitated for India’s trade agreements, including with EU and US, Modi said India is at the centre of an uncertain world as past alliances give way to new alignments, emphasising that the new year has been particularly encouraging for India, sources said.
The Speaker further pointed out that granting statehood falls within the domain of the Centre and advised Lone to raise only those issues on which J&K govt is competent to respond or take a decision. Outside the assembly, Lone said four of his other amendments were, however, accepted, including those concerning daily wagers, NLU and condemnation of attacks on Kashmiris outside J&K.
