India

TTD is establishing a Rs 25 crore food testing lab in Tirumala with advanced e-tongue and e-nose systems to check ghee and laddu prasadam quality. Andhra Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the facility is nearly complete and will start next month

The conclave will deliberate on the development, promotion and future roadmap of shooting sports in Telangana and across India

India unveiled Prahaar, its first counter-terrorism policy, outlining a multi-layered strategy based on zero tolerance, intelligence-led prevention, disruption of terror funding, cyber monitoring, and international cooperation

The Supreme Court refused to entertain Subramanian Swamy’s plea challenging Andhra Pradesh’s decision to appoint a committee to review the SIT report on the Tirumala laddu controversy. The bench said the enquiry does not overlap with criminal proceedings and both can continue

Violence broke out at JNU during a protest against Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, leaving several students injured. Left groups and ABVP traded charges over stone pelting, while authorities vowed strict action. JNUSU has called for a long march on February 26

G Vijay Kumar, who took up badminton for fitness, has emerged as an inspiration by finishing runner-up in the 75 years and above category of the Krishna District championship. His dedication and simple lifestyle continue to motivate young players

TVK leader Vijay declared that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election would be a direct fight with Chief Minister M K Stalin. He accused the DMK of corruption, promised reforms in education and safety, and urged cadres to mobilise voters for change

YSRCP stalled proceedings in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council for the second week, demanding a debate on ghee supply to Tirupati laddu. The party alleged links between Indapur Dairy and Heritage Foods, while Nara Lokesh promised facts would be presented in Assembly

Authorities in Shahjahanpur have covered mosques and mazars with tarpaulin sheets and deployed heavy security for the centuries-old Juta Maar Holi procession. The event, marked by communal harmony, sees Hindus and Muslims jointly celebrating with flower showers and traditional rituals

Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell powered West Indies to 254/6 as they defeated Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a T20 World Cup Super Eights match in Mumbai. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 despite Brad Evans’ late resistance

The Andhra Pradesh government is considering legislation to bar school students from social media. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and IT Minister Nara Lokesh said measures are being studied to regulate platforms, counter false propaganda and protect children from harmful online content

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, booked under the POCSO Act in Prayagraj, said he will not resist arrest and will cooperate with authorities. He denied allegations of sexual abuse, calling them fabricated, and claimed CCTV footage would prove his innocence

A Class 10 student was brutally stabbed by two minors at a pool club in Bhopal’s Teela Jamalpura area on February 15. The attack, captured on CCTV and circulated on social media, left the victim seriously injured. The accused were detained and later released on notice

Tobacco control must go beyond taxation and reflect a moral commitment to prioritising public health over revenue

Security forces have neutralised the seven-member Jaish-e-Mohammed “Israel Group” in Kishtwar after an 18-month-long operation. Officials said the joint operation ended with the killing of three terrorists, including Saifullah, and dismantling of the entire terror module

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written an open letter to West Bengal voters promising economic revival and development. The BJP has begun mass distribution of the letter ahead of Assembly elections, accusing the state government of blocking benefits of central schemes

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik released the final electoral roll, deleting 97.37 lakh voter names under various categories. The state now has 5.67 crore voters, with 7.40 lakh young voters newly added after the SIR exercise

The Centre has approved Rs 2,432 crore for implementing the Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh. The project aims to provide fibre broadband to every village, strengthen last-mile connectivity and enhance digital services across rural and remote areas

The Indian Army said its anti-terror operation in Kishtwar district began in April/May last year and led to the elimination of six terrorists. The month-long mission involved multiple security agencies and advanced surveillance tools

Prominent Muslim clerics and leaders in India have condemned the Taliban’s new penal code in Afghanistan that reportedly permits domestic violence. They called it un-Islamic and urged strong opposition, amid growing global concern over women’s rights

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the government is discussing banning mobile phones in schools amid pressure from parents. Home Minister G Parameshwara said a decision would be taken after studying the issue

The National Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Ministry of External Affairs after media reports claimed that six workers from Odisha were held captive in Thailand without pay or proper food for six months

India’s organ transplants surged fourfold to nearly 20,000 in 2025, with 18% from deceased donors. Over 4.8 lakh citizens registered via Aadhaar, and 1,200 families donated organs, boosting life-saving procedures and advancing multi-organ and complex transplants

RBI stated there is no systemic risk to the banking system following a Rs 590-crore fraud at IDFC First Bank’s Chandigarh branch. Four officials were suspended; the stock fell sharply amid ongoing investigation