India

A vigilance court in Kollam granted statutory bail to Unnikrishnan Potty in the second Sabarimala gold misappropriation case. The relief was given as the SIT failed to file charge sheets within the stipulated time

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has stepped down as election in-charge of six Assembly constituencies, citing his father’s health condition. He said he has informed party leaders and will continue supporting party candidates in other ways

Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the AIADMK announced the second phase of its poll promises, including higher pensions, loan waivers, free gas cylinders and support for vulnerable groups. The party aims to attract women, youth and low-income families

Sharad Pawar held a closed-door meeting with Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar in Baramati on Wednesday. Sources said discussions may have focused on a possible merger of NCP factions and upcoming Zila Parishad elections

The suspension of eight Congress MPs from the Lok Sabha sparked protests by Opposition leaders, who accused the Centre of suppressing debate. Rahul Gandhi joined the protest, while Congress and Trinamool MPs criticised the government for undermining democracy

Congress leader K C Venugopal said the Opposition will collectively decide on moving an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The statement comes after Mamata Banerjee called for such a move over the SIR issue

A senior CPI (Maoist) cadre carrying a Rs 21 lakh reward surrendered before Malkangiri police in Odisha, laying down arms and explosives. Officials termed it a major setback to Maoist activities in the district.

The Supreme Court issued notice on a PIL challenging NBEMS’s decision to slash NEET-PG qualifying cut-offs to zero and negative levels, calling it arbitrary and unconstitutional, and seeking responses from the Centre, NMC and other authorities.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 has recommended a 17-hour ban on advertisements promoting ultra-processed food to curb rising childhood obesity. It also proposed higher taxes, stricter food labelling norms and regulatory measures to reduce consumption and protect public health

A Raipur-bound flight from Hyderabad’s RGIA was delayed on Wednesday after a technical snag was detected before take-off, prompting the pilot to ask passengers to deboard while engineers inspected the aircraft.

Fear spread across villages in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district after a tiger made its seventh cattle kill in Alair mandal, prompting forest officials to install cages and warn residents to remain vigilant

The BJP and JD(S) continued an overnight protest inside Karnataka’s Vidhana Soudha, demanding Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur’s resignation over alleged irregularities, warning that the agitation would intensify if he remains in office.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the India-US trade deal and agreed to formalise cooperation on critical minerals, energy and technology, reinforcing strategic ties and shared Indo-Pacific priorities.

The robotic cardiac surgery programme at the hospital was led by senior cardiothoracic vascular surgeon (CTVS), Dr. Harish Badami and his team

With mass surrenders and declining relevance of violence, Maoists face a historic opportunity to enter democratic politics

The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy, calling it coercive and unfair, as it heard appeals against a Rs 213.14 crore CCI penalty. The court sought detailed explanations from Meta on data-sharing and user consent

The Supreme Court has rightly questioned the moral uprightness of WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy

Seven Congress MPs and one CPI(M) member were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the rest of the Budget Session for unruly behaviour, intensifying the government–Opposition standoff over Rahul Gandhi being denied an opportunity to speak on national security issues

India will host the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2027 in Delhi, offering eight quota places for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Alongside the ISSF World Cup, this marks the first time India will stage two Olympic qualifying shooting events

Pakistan’s boycott of its T20 World Cup group match against India has triggered back-channel talks with the ICC amid fears of financial losses exceeding USD 250 million. The ICC has urged the PCB to reconsider, warning of long-term consequences for global cricket

The ICC has cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board that boycotting its February 15 T20 World Cup clash against India could lead to legal action from broadcasters and financial penalties. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi faces mounting pressure amid political and cricketing fallout

Reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju will compete in Norway Chess 2026, returning to one of the world’s strongest tournaments

India’s pistol shooters, led by Samrat Rana, Suruchi Singh, Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh, will aim for medals in the 10m air pistol events on day one of the Asian Championship Rifle/Pistol at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in Delhi

Delhi Capitals stormed into their fourth consecutive Women's Premier League final with a seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator at Vadodara. Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee starred in the chase after Beth Mooney’s unbeaten fifty for Gujarat