Finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Thursday had some cheer for state govt employees too, budgeting for a 4% hike in DA. Govt rechristened its Karmashree scheme as “Mahatma Shree” and hiked the minimum number of workdays from 75 to 100 in what is being seen as a nod to Trinamool Congress’s opposition to the Centre’s decision to replace MGNREGA.

According to the MEA, Jaishankar, in the meeting, highlighted the challenges of excessive concentration and the importance of de-risking supply, and also spoke about structured international cooperation. Jaishankar said on X that the deal opens up a new phase in India-US bilateral ties, with vast possibilities for the relationship, signalling renewed high-level engagements in the next few months.

​​The influential Kuki Zo Council declared a social boycott of any legislator from the community joining CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s govt. Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads in Kangpokpi district, and at least one group called for a shutdown in the hills. In Kangpokpi, roads littered with burning tyres signalled a return to unrest after a period of relative calm across the hills.

Asked how the directive will be implemented, additional chief secretary (home) Sanjay Prasad said, “We are working on a legal and procedural framework to ensure any death caused due to the use of banned Chinese manjha is treated as a case of murder. Clear instructions will be issued to the police so that strict action can be taken against all those involved in its sale, supply or use.”

West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose read out portions of the address highlighting law and order, including references to Kolkata being among the safest cities in the country. In a rare display of cordiality, he was even seen briefly holding hands and speaking with CM Mamata Banerjee after his address, prompting BJP legislators to sarcastically comment “well done”, as he exited the House.

Govt also sought clarity on the financial burden of granting Ladakh full statehood with a legislature, including salaries, provident fund liabilities and other expenditures for about 19,000 employees. Running a state or a Union territory with a legislature involves managing deficits and long-term fiscal responsibility, prompting the panel to press Ladakhi activists for detailed projections, the sources said.

The row comes weeks after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti pitched for a separate administrative division comprising Rajouri and Poonch in Pir Panjal along with Chenab valley districts, citing remoteness, hilly terrain and lack of infrastructure — a demand BJP opposed. The region refers to the mountainous belt along the Pir Panjal range south of Kashmir valley and close to the LoC.

«Pollution is a legacy problem resulting from the negligence of previous governments. If we look at pollution only from the perspective that the air should be clean, we will not get results. You have to work on dust, air and water together, with a holistic vision,» she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Malaysia on February 7-8 to strengthen ties and expand cooperation under a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He will hold bilateral talks with PM Anwar Ibrahim, review key sectors like trade and defense, and address the Indian community. The visit aims to deepen engagement with the ASEAN region and boost business ties.

Protests erupted in Manipur's Churachandpur district following MLA Nemcha Kipgen's appointment as deputy chief minister, leading to clashes. Demonstrators set fire to discarded materials and hurled stones at security forces who responded with a baton charge. Two individuals sustained minor injuries, and additional forces have been deployed to manage the tense situation.

the Delhi CM asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration prioritised policy decisions and accountability after forming government on February 20, 2025.

The Central government, Nagaland government, and ENPO have signed an agreement to establish the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) to address the demands of Eastern Nagaland. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the MHA will fund the new body and ensure development in the region, marking progress towards peace and development in the Northeast.

The BJP is attempting to replicate its Bihar electoral strategy in Tamil Nadu by consolidating opposition forces and forming a broad social alliance across major caste segments. Aiming to counter the DMK, the party is forging alliances with former partners and breakaway factions, including the AIADMK and PMK, to build a wider NDA for the upcoming assembly elections.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of withholding funds, yet her government presented a pro-people budget. The state's interim budget of Rs 4.06 lakh crore for 2026-27 includes increased allowances for women, youth, and frontline workers, notably boosting the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme by Rs 500 monthly.

Reacting on X, Tharoor wrote: “The bizarre thing about this so-called ‘business decision’ by The Washington Post is that @ishaantharoor’s column flourished on the Internet,” adding that Ishaan Tharoor had “500,000 (half a million plus!) individual subscribers” for his WorldView newsletter. He said he had met foreign ministers, diplomats and scholars around the world who read the newsletter daily, and argued that the newspaper could have tried monetising that reach instead of abolishing it.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday raised concern over the safety and security of vulnerables after 807 people, mostly women and children, went missing in the first 15 days of the year 2026.

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The Ministry of External Affairs has firmly denied a Bloomberg report alleging National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding a trade deal. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the claims baseless, stating no such meeting occurred. This rebuttal follows recent announcements of a trade agreement between India and the US.

Lok Sabha was adjourned amid security concerns over alleged Congress plans to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite his presence. Opposition rejected the claims, accusing the government of stalling proceedings. The Prime Minister is expected to address the Rajya Sabha later.

Egg freezing in India is increasingly seen as a fertility preservation choice for all women, not just the married. Experts emphasize it empowers women to plan their reproductive future independently, offering flexibility to pursue careers and education without biological clock pressure. This proactive step is gaining traction among unmarried women, promoting informed decisions beyond societal norms.

The BJP has strongly criticised a Tamil Nadu minister's remarks about North Indian migrant workers, calling them derogatory and part of a pattern by the ruling DMK to fuel social divisions. The party highlighted the minister's comments about migrants working in low-paying jobs and questioned the silence of opposition alliance leaders, deeming such statements dangerous amidst rising violence against workers.

The Washington Post has undergone significant layoffs, impacting a substantial portion of its workforce, including foreign affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor and numerous international correspondents. This restructuring drastically curtails the newspaper's global coverage, leading to the closure of bureaus and the elimination of key sections. The move has drawn sharp criticism from former editors and staff.