Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is highly likely to visit Moscow on May 9 for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This visit holds significance as discussions about the participation of Indian military personnel are underway, amidst ongoing talks between US and Russian officials to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Shashi Tharoor revealed he was named after Lord Shiva's crescent due to his birth on Mahashivratri. He shared this personal detail amidst speculations of tension with Congress leadership, following his recent interactions and dissatisfaction over his role. Tharoor's recent actions, including praise for Kerala's Left government, indicate ongoing friction within the party.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has urged all eligible citizens of India to register as electors and participate in the electoral process. He emphasised that voting is the first step towards national service.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya sharply criticised West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over changes in the holiday schedule announced by Kolkata Municipal Corporation. He accused the TMC government of religious appeasement, alleging that the adjustment is aimed at consolidating Muslim votes while disadvantaging Hindu cultural observances.

A viral video shows a man throwing water on train passengers, who is quickly caught and beaten by a policeman. The incident highlights ongoing unruly behavior in Indian railways, as minor acts like this pose risks to passengers. Social media users praised the officer and called for stricter measures.

Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia admitted to making a «mistake» with his controversial remarks on comedian Samay Raina's YouTube show leading to backlash. He said he went on the show for his friend and did not charge for his appearance. Social media influencers Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Makhija have also been named in the obscenity case. The investigation continues.

Telangana government has mandated Telugu as a compulsory subject for Classes 1 to 10 in all schools, starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This decision fully implements the Telangana (Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Telugu in Schools) Act, introduced in 2018 but previously not fully enforced.

India plans to highlight its concerns over the European Union's proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) during Ursula von der Leyen's visit. The CBAM, set to be implemented next year, will impose a border tax on carbon-intensive goods, potentially impacting India's trade, particularly affecting small and medium-sized businesses in sectors like steel and aluminium.

The Border Security Force (BSF) shot an intruder who was observed crossing the International Border at Pathankot in the early hours, despite being challenged by troops. The BSF stated that the identity and motive of the intruder are being investigated and plans to lodge a strong protest with Pakistani Rangers.

Delhi government incurred a revenue loss exceeding Rs 2,000 crore due to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, as per CAG's report. The policy, which was later withdrawn, faced issues like monopoly risks and improper license allocations, leading to significant financial discrepancies.

Photojournalist SL Shanth Kumar of TOI documents the profound faith and determination experienced at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Despite facing chaos, a stampede, and immense challenges, his journey highlights the pilgrimage's spiritual and cultural essence, culminating in capturing captivating moments of spirituality and human connection.

BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty disputes Mamata Banerjee's claim regarding the Maha Kumbh's occurrence and attendee numbers, emphasizing the event's significance. Banerjee clarifies her comments, urging better planning and compensation for stampede victims to prevent further suffering.

The Supreme Court has reversed the Bihar Legislative Council's expulsion of RJD leader Sunil Kumar Singh for mocking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, deeming the punishment excessive. The court reinstated him with a suspension period and emphasized proper conduct and respect in legislative proceedings.

Residents of Kolkata experienced moderate tremors measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale early Tuesday morning, originating from the Bay of Bengal. The quake, at a depth of 91 km, caused no reported damage or injuries but created momentary panic among the inhabitants.

AIIMS doctors successfully removed a 15 kg ‘parasitic twin’ from a 17-year-old boy from Unnao, UP. The complex surgery took 2 to 2.5 hours, involving multidisciplinary specialists. The boy, previously isolated and facing emotional difficulties, is recovering well, with prospects for a normal life.

Prayagraj hosted Maha Kumbh for 45 days, attracting over 64 crore pilgrims. The confluence ends with Maha Shivratri snan and a farewell at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. Naga sadhus will offer prayers, and soon the temporary settlements will be dismantled.

A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to two life terms for murdering a Sikh man and his son during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Despite the brutal nature of the crimes, mitigating factors such as Kumar's age and health led the judge to opt for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. Kumar is already serving another life sentence for similar crimes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin called for a meeting of registered political parties to discuss the Union government's proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies in 2026. Stalin expressed concern that TN's successful population control measures could reduce its representation in the Lok Sabha by eight seats, affecting the state's rights.

Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad called for a CBI probe into allegations of corruption against MMRDA by Systra, emphasizing the impact on Mumbai's reputation. Aaditya Thackeray and Rohit Pawar echoed demands for an impartial investigation, highlighting the gravity of claims presented by the French consultant.

A groom's drunken misconduct at his wedding in Budaun led to its abrupt cancellation. He arrived intoxicated and touched the bride inappropriately during the varmala ceremony, causing the bride to call off the marriage. Despite efforts from the groom's family to proceed, the wedding was eventually formally cancelled.

Controversy has arisen as the Congress' Kerala unit accused Bollywood actor Preity Zinta of a loan waiver from New India Cooperative Bank, based on a news report. Zinta refuted the claims, labeling them as fake news and clarified that she had repaid the loan in full over a decade ago.

In a landmark verdict, a Barrackpore court sentenced five individuals, including Panihati councillor Tarak Guha, to life imprisonment for the lynching of fish trader Sambhu Chakraborty in 2014. The attack, suspected to be over theft, saw justice served after nearly a decade of legal proceedings. Chakraborty's wife, Jyotsna, expressed relief and recounted the struggles of raising her children alone.

The Bombay High Court ruled the MMRDA's termination of Systra's contract for three Mumbai Metro lines as arbitrary and unfair. The court mandated the MMRDA to reassess the contract termination, citing the agency's failure to provide valid reasons. The decision emphasizes that state bodies must act fairly even within private contracts.

The government aims to construct 10,000 km of national highways in 2025-26, marking the lowest target in seven years. This effort includes constructing 5,800 km of high-speed corridors. The plan also involves raising significant funds from highway project monetization and private investment while focusing on road safety and removing hazardous locations.

In the aftermath of a language row in Belagavi, a girl retracted her sexual harassment complaint against a bus conductor under the Pocso Act. The incident sparked tensions between Kannada and Marathi speakers, leading to bus services suspension. Authorities are considering police deployment on buses to ensure safety and resume services.

Akhilesh Yadav accused BJP governments in UP and at the Centre of a spat, suggesting CM Yogi Adityanath's 'pig' comments targeted Delhi. He pointed out the contradiction between state and central pollution boards over Ganga's cleanliness, questioning their coordination and actions.

Shashi Tharoor's recent actions and statements, including praising the government and posting a selfie with BJP minister Piyush Goyal, indicate he is asserting his stance within the Congress. With Kerala assembly elections approaching, the Congress faces a challenge in navigating Tharoor's position while maintaining party unity.

The Karnataka High Court has permitted Hindus to perform puja at the Shivalinga within Ladle Mashak Dargah during Mahashivaratri, while Muslims can perform Urs-related rituals. The court order emphasizes adherence to designated time slots and maintaining the site's status quo amidst heightened security to prevent disturbances.

Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav criticized Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's comments on the Maha Kumbh stampede, which resulted in 30 deaths. Yadav emphasized the inappropriate nature of Adityanath's language and urged sympathy over anger in response. Adityanath had defended the state's arrangements while accusing the previous government of neglect.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi asserted that the CAG report reiterates AAP's claims about losses under the old excise policy, highlighting illegal liquor procurement from Haryana and UP. BJP countered, alleging corruption and revenue losses amounting to Rs 890 crore due to policy violations and lack of re-tendering, criticizing both Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

After Bollywood actor Preity Zinta slammed Kerala Congress for spreading fake news that the actor got a Rs 19 crore loan written off and for that depositors are on the streets for their money, the party asked the actor to clear the air with proof. «We are glad to accept mistakes if we have made any,» the Congress Kerala handle said.

A Delhi court granted pre-arrest bail to AAP leader Amanatullan Khan, who faced charges for allegedly attacking a police team in Jamia Nagar. The police sought to interrogate Khan over the incident, but he secured anticipatory bail, with the court noting insufficient evidence of his involvement in the accused's escape, who was already on bail.

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family participated in the Maha Kumbh at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, offering prayers and taking a holy dip. The event included multiple generations of the Ambani family and featured spiritual rituals. Reliance also provided services like meals, healthcare, and transportation to support pilgrims, with the festival concluding on February 26.