National News

Cheetah Gamini delivers fourth cub at Kuno; population rises to 39

South African cheetah Gamini has given birth to the fourth cub at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, taking the number of these big cats in India to 39, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Friday. "Kunoh national park is pleased to announce the birth of the fourth cub to female cheetah Gamini. The presence of the fourth cub was confirmed during intensive monitoring by the field and veterinary teams. "All four cubs are presently healthy and doing fine. The number of cheetahs in India now stands at 39, including 28 India-born cubs," Yadav said in a post on X. Gamini was translocated to India from South Africa as part of the ambitious project launched in September 2022 to revive the population of the world's fastest land animal in India, which had gone extinct decades ago. Yadav had announced the birth of three cubs of Gamini earlier this month.

Centre mandates sale of E20 petrol with minimum RON 95 from April 1

The government has mandated the sale of petrol with up to 20 per cent ethanol and a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 across all states and Union Territories from April 1, 2026. The oil ministry in a February 17 notification, said, "the central government hereby directs that oil companies shall sell ethanol-blended motor spirit (petrol) with percentage of ethanol up to 20 per cent as per the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications and having minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95, in states and the Union Territories". The central government can allow exceptions in special situations, for specific regions and for a limited time. Ethanol is made from sugarcane, maize, or grain. It is renewable, domestically produced and has cleaner burning than pure petrol. The government has mandated ethanol blending in petrol to help cut oil imports as also reduce emissions. Such a mandate also supports farmers as it boosts demand for sugarcane, maize and agricultural surplus. Most

India moved from 'aspiring' to 'inspiring' nation: Former President Kovind

Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said India has transitioned from an "aspiring nation to an inspiring nation" and praised the country's extraordinary development journey over the past two decades. He was addressing the curtain-raiser ceremony of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry's 125th anniversary, themed 'India @2047 - Economic Vision for Amrit Kaal'. He said that despite global disruptions such as the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, India has remained firm in its growth trajectory. "Nations either drift or they decide. India has decided," he said. Citing economic progress, Kovind said India is "the only major economy to double its GDP in the last 10 years" and noted that more than 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, which he termed "the most remarkable dimension of the India story". He also highlighted the country's growing self-reliance in defence production, saying India is now exporting equipment to over 80 countries and has developed .

Stones hurled during Shivaji Jayanti procession in Karnataka's Bagalkote

Tension prevailed briefly during a Shivaji Jayanti procession here after stones were allegedly hurled at the rally, officials said on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday in the old city when the procession, which began around 3:30 pm, was passing through the mosque area, they said. Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal said adequate forces were deployed for the procession. "We were all present at the spot. The procession began around 3:30 PM (yesterday), As it approached the mosque, two stones were thrown from a distance toward us," he said. According to the SP, based on preliminary information and videos reviewed by the police so far, one stone struck a police constable while the other fell on his shoulder. "No one sustained any major injuries. After that, the procession continued smoothly, and the atmosphere remained peaceful," Goyal said. Police said adequate security arrangements have been made in view of the procession and the situation remained under control. "Th

NIA court rejects bail plea of accused in Antilia bomb scare case

A special court here has refused bail to Santosh Shelar, an accused in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case, saying there was ample prima facie evidence against him. An SUV with explosives inside was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence 'Antilia' in South Mumbai On February 25, 2021. Thane-based businessman Hiran, who had said he was in possession of the SUV before it was stolen, was found dead in a creek on March 5, 2021, under mysterious circumstances. The accused in the case include former policemen Sachin Waze and Pradeep Sharma. Shelar, a co-accused, had sought bail from the special National Investigation Agency court stating that he was in prison for over four years, and he had been falsely implicated in the case. Judge Chakor Baviskar, in the order passed on February 13, said there was enough material on record to show that Sharma and Waze were in touch with Shelar through cell phones and communication apps. Statements of witnesses establ

Mumbai Coastal Road gets India's first-ever 'musical road' stretch

Motorists travelling on the Mumbai Coastal Road corridor will now hear the iconic Bollywood song "Jai Ho" when driving over specially installed grooves at a designated speed, making it India's first 'musical' or 'melody' road. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the musical road stretch on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, former Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, who conceptualised the idea, Hungary's Consul General Faren Jari, BMC's Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakne, and other dignitaries were present at the event. Fadnavis said the concept of a musical road developed along the Coastal Road is set to provide a delightful experience for motorists. He added that the innovative concept, based on Hungarian technology, would be implemented further in the future. "In the first phase, the concept has been implemented on a 500-metre stretch of the Coastal Road, and there are plans to expand the musical road concept further," Fadnavis .

Sebi mulls cutting minimum investment in social impact funds to ₹1,000

Sebi on Monday proposed a sharp reduction in the minimum investment required from individual investors in social impact funds to Rs 1,000 from the existing Rs 2 lakh, in a move aimed at widening retail participation and easing fundraising for not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE). In its consultation paper, Sebi also proposed extending the registration period for NPOs on the SSE without fundraising and lowering the minimum subscription requirement for issuing Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments (ZCZP). The regulator said the measures are intended to "further strengthen the SSE framework, facilitate ease of fund raising and encourage greater participation by NPOs". Under the current Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Regulations, individual investors are required to invest a minimum of Rs 2 lakh in a social impact fund that invests exclusively in securities of NPOs listed or registered on the SSE. Sebi has now proposed lowering this threshold to Rs

Isro identifies south polar landing site on Moon for Chandrayaan-4 mission

The Chandrayaan-4 Mission is at least two years away, but the ISRO has identified a location in the South Polar region of Moon to land its lander. The union government has approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, designed as a lunar sample-return mission and it will be India's most complex lunar endeavour yet. "We are targeting 2028 for Chandrayaan-4," ISRO chairman V Narayanan had earlier said. According to ISRO officials, they had zeroed in on four sites of the Mons Mouton (MM) and found one of them suitable for landing on the lunar surface. Mons Mouton is a region on the Moon. Officials said they had identified locations -- MM-1, MM-3, MM-4 and MM-5. Of them, MM-4 was chosen for the landing. "The four sites in Mons Mouton area were fully characterised with respect to terrain characteristics using high resolution Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC) multi view image datasets," they said. It was found that one kilometre by one kilometre area around MM-4 contains "the less hazard ..

Mysterious gas leak sparks panic near Jammu airport; probe launched

A mysterious gas leak from a cylinder at a scrap dealer's shop triggered panic in a locality near the Jammu airport on Saturday, prompting authorities to rush joint teams of the NDRF and SDRF to the scene, officials said. Several residents of Rani Bagh complained of breathlessness following the sudden leakage of gas from an abandoned cylinder lying at the scrap dealer's premises, they added. According to authorities, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), wearing protective gear, along with police and fire and emergency department personnel, reached the scene and successfully contained the leak. They assured that the situation is well under control and there is no need to panic. An investigation has been initiated to determine the nature of the gas and how the cylinder ended up at the scrap dealer's shop, officials noted, adding that the substance will be identified through scientific analysis, and further action will be taken

Sunil Thapa, actor known for 'Mary Kom' and 'The Family Man', dies at 68

Thapa was also seen in the third instalment of 'The Family Man' where he played the role of David Khuzou in the series

SC adjourns to Feb 9 hearing on plea challenging Sonam Wangchuk's detention

The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned to February 9 the hearing on a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against his detention under the National Security Act. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale deferred the matter. On Wednesday, the top court had asked the Centre if there was any possibility for the government to relook at the detention of Wangchuk considering his health condition. Additional solicitor general K M Nataraj had submitted that Wangchuk was responsible for violence in Leh last year in which four people died and 161 were injured. On Tuesday, the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh administration had told the apex court that Wangchuk was detained for instigating people in a border area where regional sensitivity is involved. Justifying Wangchuk's detention, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the bench that all procedural safeguards were followed while ordering his detention under the National Securit

Enemy properties worth ₹2,930 crore sold till January 28: Govt

The government has sold movable and immovable enemy properties worth Rs 2,930 crore till January 28, Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. Assets left behind by people who have taken citizenship of Pakistan and China - mostly between 1947 and 1962 - are called enemy property. In a written response to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the disposal and monetisation of enemy properties are done in accordance with the provisions of the Enemy Property Act, 1968 and the rules and guidelines framed therein. "As on 28.01.2026, movable and immovable enemy properties worth Rs. 2,930 crore have been sold," he said. Kumar said the government has taken several steps to fast-track monetisation of enemy properties making district magistrates to act as ex-officio deputy custodian of such properties, SDMs as ex-officio assistant custodian, tehsildar as ex-officio inspector and deputy secretary posted the custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) regional offi

SC directs Centre to set up tribunal for Pennaiyar river water dispute

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to constitute a tribunal for adjudicating a dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing the water of the Pennaiyar River, and issue an appropriate notification in the matter within a month. The direction came from a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and N V Anjaria. "We find no reason to refrain from directing the Central government to issue an appropriate notification in the official gazette and to constitute a water disputes tribunal for the adjudication of the inter-se water dispute between the parties herein within a period of one month from today," Justice Nath said while pronouncing the order. The Tamil Nadu government moved the top court in 2018 through its original suit filed against Karnataka over work being done on check dams and diversions on the river. It said the water in an interstate river was considered a national asset and no state can claim exclusive rights over it. The Tamil Nadu government had said the 1892

PT Usha's husband V Srinivasan dies at 67, PM Modi condoles demise

V Srinivasan, husband of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and Rajya Sabha MP P T Usha, died in the early hours of Friday, according to family sources. He was 67. Srinivasan collapsed at his residence early this morning. Although he was rushed immediately to a nearby hospital, he could not be revived, the sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to a bereaved Usha and expressed his condolences on the passing away of her husband, officials said. A former central government employee, Srinivasan was a constant presence by Usha's side throughout her illustrious sporting and political career. He was widely regarded as her pillar of support and the driving force behind her many professional milestones. The couple have a son, Ujjwal.

PM Modi expresses grief over Ajit Pawar's death at NCC event in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the National Cadet Corps' PM Rally at Delhi Cantonment on Wednesday, which will mark the culmination of the month-long annual NCC Republic Day Camp. He will also address a gathering of NCC cadets at the Cariappa Parade Ground. "We are all set for the big event, which will begin around 3:30 pm today. There are some contingency measures in place too, in case there is rain," a senior official said. The theme of the PM Rally is 'Rashtra Pratham - Kartavya Nishth Yuva', reflecting the spirit of duty, discipline and national commitment among India's youth. The rally will mark the grand culmination of the NCC Republic Day Camp 2026, which was formally inaugurated on January 5 by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan. The NCC had announced on January 3 that 2,406 NCC cadets, including 898 girls, from across the country are participating in the annual camp this year. More than 200 cadets and officers from over 20 friendly foreign countries, including Bh

Ex-IT company employee booked in Bengaluru for ₹87 crore code theft

An FIR has been registered against a former senior employee of an IT firm for allegedly stealing the company's proprietary software source code valued at approximately Rs 87 crore, police said on Tuesday. The accused Ashuthosh Nigam was employed as a Senior Manager Research Scientist from February 1, 2020 with Amadeus software Labs India (P) Ltd company here, they said. According to the FIR, during the course of his employment, he unauthorisedly accessed and ex-filtrated source code with software belonging to the company on October 11, 2025 by transferring the source code along with other confidential data from his personal email account without consent or approvals from the company. Upon confronting him with internal findings, records and reports, Nigam agreed to having ex-filtrated the source code and the same is been video recorded by the company, the FIR stated. Following this, his employment with the company was terminated on December 3, 2025, police said. "The approximate va

World Bank clears ₹5,700 crore aid for Haryana's Jal Sanrakshit project

The World Bank has approved technical and financial assistance of Rs 5,700 crore under the 'Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project', with the objective of making the state self-reliant in the water sector. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who was chairing a meeting of officials here on the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana programme, said the funds will be disbursed in a phased manner over 2026 to 2032. The funds will be utilised for large-scale works in the canal sector, he said on Saturday. According to an official statement, Saini said that out of a total of 1,570 canals in the state, 892 canals have been restored over the past 20 years, and the restoration of the remaining 678 canals is proposed to be completed in the next five years. This includes restoration of 115 canals for Rs 2,325 crore with World Bank financial assistance, 284 canals at Rs 2,230 crore from the state budget, and 279 canals at Rs 2,880 crore through he National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The Chief

Not stating arrest grounds in memo is dereliction of duty: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has observed that failure to disclose specific grounds of arrest in the arrest memo will amount to dereliction of duty and has directed that errant cops be suspended. It is high time that police officials, who are not complying with the requirements of the arrest memo and are violating the constitutional mandate, are sternly dealt with, the court said, allowing a habeas corpus petition. A bench comprising Justices Siddharth and Jai Krishna Upadhyay directed that the petitioners -- Umang Rastogi and another person -- who were arrested on December 26, 2025, from Haldwani in Uttarakhand be set free, declaring the arrest and the subsequent remand order as illegal, null and void. The High Court, in its verdict dated January 22, ordered that any police officer in Uttar Pradesh who fails to disclose specific grounds of arrest in the arrest memo shall be liable for departmental proceedings after being placed under suspension. The court observed, "Empty compliance o

Zubeen Garg's family seeks special court, fast-track trial in letter to PM

The family concluded the letter by placing their trust in the Prime Minister's office to ensure that the case is pursued with seriousness, urgency, and transparency

SIR voter roll revision to be rolled out in remaining states soon: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday said the special intensive revision of voters' lists in the remaining states will be rolled out soon as he described "pure" electoral rolls as the bedrock of democracy. On the eve of the Election Commission's foundation day -- also celebrated as National Voters' Day -- Kumar said the revision exercise is presently being conducted "smoothly" in 12 states and Union territories. The chief election commissioner said pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of democracy and added, "With this objective, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was initiated to ensure that every eligible elector's name is included in the electoral roll and that every ineligible name is removed." This exercise has been successfully completed in Bihar, and a 'special revision' of electoral rolls is separately underway in Assam, Kumar said. He said, "It (SIR) will soon be rolled out in the remaining states as well. "The most compelling testame