The Supreme Court has taken the unprecedented step of transferring three petitions from the Allahabad High Court to itself, citing a six-year delay in delivering a verdict on a 1994 criminal case. This intervention, aimed at ensuring speedy justice, highlights concerns over the High Court's prolonged inaction, which has also kept the trial stayed.

Rajya Sabha nominations have set the stage for political contests in Bihar and Odisha, with new alignments tested. While Maharashtra's NCP factions remain divided, the BJP-led NDA is strategically nominating diverse candidates to broaden its social coalition.

Nitish Kumar filed for Rajya Sabha, signaling a potential end to his Bihar CM tenure despite family and party objections. His move, supported by Amit Shah, has sparked unrest within JD(U), with workers protesting. Discussions within NDA are underway for a successor, possibly a Dalit leader or JD(U) deputy CM, as RJD criticizes the political maneuvering.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed a condolence book at the Iranian embassy following the killing of Iran's supreme leader, amid criticism over India's initial silence. This move follows a telephonic conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, with a potential high-level meeting scheduled.

Prime Minister Modi held discussions with French President Macron, emphasizing a return to dialogue and diplomacy for the West Asia region. Both leaders committed to close engagement and coordinated efforts to restore peace and stability. Concurrently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Oman, underscoring India's active diplomatic outreach.

A significant reshuffling of governors and Lieutenant governors across several states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Ladakh, and West Bengal, was announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan. Key appointments include Taranjit Singh Sandhu as Delhi's new LG and Vinai Kumar Saxena moving to Ladakh. Several other states like Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Nagaland also saw new gubernatorial assignments.

Defence electronics major Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has partnered with space technology startup Bellatrix Aerospace to jointly develop and manufacture satellite systems, focusing on the emerging very low Earth orbit (VLEO) regime. This collaboration aims to combine BEL's electronics expertise with Bellatrix's propulsion technology to create next-generation satellite platforms for both strategic and civilian space missions.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his Rajya Sabha nomination today, accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This move follows his decision to step down and head to Parliament, fulfilling a long-held aspiration. The transition, occurring after a recent election victory, signals a potential shift in Bihar's leadership within the NDA.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is stepping down after leading the NDA to a significant victory, opting to move to the Rajya Sabha. This marks a major political shift for the veteran leader, opening the door for the BJP to potentially appoint its own chief minister in the state.

An Indian national returning from Dubai described scenes of panic, missile alerts, and sleepless nights as regional tensions escalated. Saumya Khandelwal recounted witnessing missile activity and emergency alarms, forcing her to seek shelter in a hotel basement. Despite the fear, she highlighted the cooperation of authorities and locals in Dubai, and the support from the Indian Embassy.

To File Nomination In Patna Today In Shah's Presence

Airlines are intensifying evacuation efforts with special flights as Middle East air travel disruptions continue for the fourth day. Indian carriers planned 58 flights on Wednesday, with IndiGo and Air India increasing capacity on long-haul routes. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are handling limited repatriation flights, while services in Bahrain, Doha, and Kuwait remain suspended.

A 16th-century bronze statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar, taken from a Tamil Nadu temple, is returning to India from the UK. Acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in 1967, its provenance became questionable after a 2019 discovery. Following an investigation and a formal claim by India, the museum has agreed to its repatriation, highlighting a commitment to ethical collections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the upcoming biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill 37 seats across 10 states, as the terms of the current members end in April 2026, according to a press note. The seats are set to fall vacant as the terms of members elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana conclude next month.

Vehicle owners can now rejoice as hypothecation removal from registration certificates becomes automatic post-loan repayment. The road transport ministry's new online system, launched with select banks and NBFCs, eliminates manual visits to RTOs. This seamless process, leveraging RBI's ULI, ensures real-time data exchange, simplifying loan closure for citizens.

Amid escalating West Asia tensions, India's Ministry of External Affairs has established a special control room to assist its citizens residing in the region. The government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and remains in contact with regional governments and international partners to ensure the safety of nearly one crore Indians living there.

Banaras' Masaan Holi offers a unique, contemplative celebration with sacred ashes from cremation pyres, unlike the riot of colours elsewhere. Rooted in Shaivite traditions, it symbolizes life's cyclical nature and confronts mortality. While social media has amplified its spectacle, the ritual's profound, existential encounter remains, urging immersion beyond filtered frames.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is reportedly set to enter politics, marking a shift from his father's stance against dynastic succession. This move comes amid growing internal party pressure and concerns about leadership transition, with Nishant seen as a potential link to traditional JDU supporters.

Karnataka's Congress government is reconsidering its decision to fill 56,432 government posts without internal reservation for Scheduled Castes. Following pressure from SC communities and ministers, the cabinet will discuss introducing pro-rata internal reservation within the existing 15% SC quota.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has strongly condemned the US-Israel's actions against Iran, calling for immediate international intervention to secure a ceasefire. The board expressed sorrow over the reported martyrdom of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and highlighted that targeting leadership and advocating regime change violates international law.