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Rahul Gandhi Faces Black Flags in Mumbai Ahead of Bhivandi Court Appearance

21Feb

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

Rahul Gandhi Faces Black Flags in Mumbai Ahead of Bhivandi Court Appearance

Mumbai/Thane, February 21, 2026: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was met with black flags by BJP workers while en route to a court appearance in Bhivandi. Gandhi arrived in Mumbai on Saturday morning in connection with a defamation case filed against him by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Congress leaders welcomed him at the airport, extending a warm reception. However, as he traveled towards Bhivandi, members of the BJP staged a protest at Bharat Mandapam, displaying black flags in opposition to the Congress demonstration. The Bhivandi court hearing is scheduled for today, and observers are closely monitoring the proceedings for further developments in the case.

Bundelkhand’s ‘Epstein’: Banda JE and Wife Sentenced to Death for Sexual Exploitation of 34 Children

21Feb

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Bundelkhand’s ‘Epstein’: Banda JE and Wife Sentenced to Death for Sexual Exploitation of 34 Children

Banda/Chitrakoot, February 21, 2026: In a landmark judgment, the Banda Court has sentenced Junior Engineer (JE) Rambhavan and his wife Durgavati to death for the sexual exploitation of 34 children across Banda, Chitrakoot, and Hamirpur districts. The Special POCSO Court also imposed fines of ₹6.45 lakh on Rambhavan and ₹5.40 lakh on Durgavati. The case, which dates back nearly five years, gained international attention due to the involvement of Interpol, which provided the CBI with a pen drive containing 79 videos and 679 photos documenting the abuse. Investigators described the case as reminiscent of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in the United States. International Distribution of Child Pornography According to CBI officials, Rambhavan sold child pornography videos to buyers in Bra...

“My ₹2,000 from 1981—Will the Government Finally Give Us Land?” Senior Journalist Questions Bihar State Housing Board

21Feb

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Bihar, State

“My ₹2,000 from 1981—Will the Government Finally Give Us Land?” Senior Journalist Questions Bihar State Housing Board

Patna, February 21, 2026: The Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB) is once again in the spotlight, this time due to a long-standing grievance raised by senior journalist Surendra Kishore. Kishore has taken to social media to demand accountability for a deposit of ₹2,000 he made in 1981, which was meant to secure a plot of land in Patna’s Digha area. The 1981 Deposit Kishore explained that on April 15, 1981, he deposited ₹2,000 into the Housing Board’s account at the State Bank of India, taking a loan for the amount as he did not have sufficient personal funds. He retained the receipt, which he still carries, as the government, along with land mafias and other vested interests, allegedly sabotaged the housing scheme. The Board later instructed depositors to withdraw their advance payments...

Brahmins Become the New ‘Hotcakes’ of Politics from UP to Bihar

21Feb

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Bihar, Politics, State

Brahmins Become the New ‘Hotcakes’ of Politics from UP to Bihar

Patna, February 21, 2026: The Brahmin community has once again emerged as a pivotal force in Hindi heartland politics. From Akhilesh Yadav’s “Prabuddh” campaign in Uttar Pradesh to heated debates in the Bihar Assembly, the value of Brahmin votes is increasingly seen as the key to power. Political parties across states are now vying for their support, reflecting the community’s rising influence in elections. Uttar Pradesh: Brahmin Votes Key to Victory In Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are scheduled for next year, Brahmin votes hold immense sway. The Brahmin population, estimated at 11–13%, forms the largest segment among upper castes and plays a decisive role in over 100 assembly constituencies. Even leaders traditionally focused on Dalit and OBC politics, such as Akhilesh Ya...

Four Youths Die in Head-On Collision in Jhalawar; Were Traveling to Madhya Pradesh

21Feb

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Rajasthan, State

Four Youths Die in Head-On Collision in Jhalawar; Were Traveling to Madhya Pradesh

Jhalawar, February 21, 2026: Four young men tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, on Friday evening. The accident occurred when a Bolero vehicle collided head-on with a motorbike carrying all four victims. The youths were traveling from Rajasthan to Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, at the time of the crash. The incident took place near Karanpura village on the Dag-Choumhala road around 7:30 PM in the Gangdhar police station area. Local villagers reported that the impact was severe, leaving both vehicles heavily damaged. Emergency services were informed immediately, and the victims’ bodies were sent to Choumhala Hospital for post-mortem. Identification of Victims During the investigation, three of the four victims were identified through documents...

Bihar Farmer Grows ‘Black Gold’ Potatoes Using Seeds from the US

21Feb

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Bihar, State

Bihar Farmer Grows ‘Black Gold’ Potatoes Using Seeds from the US

Motihari, February 21, 2026: Breaking traditional farming norms, Prayag Dev Singh, a progressive farmer from Sagar Churarman village in Kotwa block, East Champaran, has successfully cultivated black potatoes—dubbed ‘black gold’—in his fields using seeds imported from the United States. The black potatoes are notably larger and heavier than regular varieties, earning Singh acclaim across the district. While many rural farmers in Bihar continue to rely on conventional methods, often yielding only subsistence-level income, some innovators like Singh are proving that experimenting with new crops can be highly rewarding. Singh’s bold decision to grow black potatoes has not only transformed his fortunes but also set a new example of agricultural innovation in the region. Seeds Imported fro...

Odisha to Begin SIR Process from April 1; Congress MLA Sofia Firdous Urges Transparency

21Feb

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Odisha, State

Odisha to Begin SIR Process from April 1; Congress MLA Sofia Firdous Urges Transparency

Bhubaneswar, February 21, 2026: The Election Commission of India has announced a special revision of the voter lists (SIR) in 22 states and Union Territories, including Odisha, starting from April 1, 2026. This will mark the third phase of the SIR exercise. Reacting to the announcement, Congress MLA Sofia Firdous from Barabati constituency emphasized that the process should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. She stated, “SIR should be treated as a routine exercise and must not be used as a political tool. There should be no misuse of this process in any form. We expect proper training for all BLOs to ensure accuracy and efficiency.” MLA Firdous further highlighted the importance of voter awareness, saying, “It is essential to educate all citizens about the process and the...

Trump Tariffs Impact on India and Global Economy: Experts Warn of Continued Uncertainty

21Feb

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Nation

Trump Tariffs Impact on India and Global Economy: Experts Warn of Continued Uncertainty

New Delhi: The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling invalidating former President Donald Trump’s tariffs has provided some immediate relief to the global economy. However, experts caution that the decision may not change the overall scenario and that India, China, and other countries affected by the tariffs could still face significant challenges. Supreme Court Ruling and Its Immediate Effect The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs, which had been used as an economic weapon under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The decision affects tariffs applied under national emergency powers, which had generated over $175 billion to date. Experts say the ruling offers short-term relief but does not fundamentally alter the tariff regime. Trump Imposes 10% Global Tar...

India Pushes for “Make in India” in Rafale Deal, Seeks Domestic Production of Missiles

21Feb

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Nation

India Pushes for “Make in India” in Rafale Deal, Seeks Domestic Production of Missiles

New Delhi: India has asked France to increase the “Make in India” component in its deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets and to include domestic production of key missiles—Meteor, SCALP, and MICA—within the weapons package. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized this demand during discussions with his French counterpart. Expanding Indigenous Weapons Manufacturing India has already approved an additional deal worth ₹3,200 crore for SCALP air-to-ground missiles, which were previously used in Operation Sindhur. Sources say that considering the missile requirements for the next three decades, India wants production of these missiles to take place within the country. The Rafale aircraft manufactured in India will be capable of integrating indigenous weapons, though a significant number o...

Indian Coast Guard Seizes Iran-Linked Oil Tankers, Crew Arrested for Illegal Activities

21Feb

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Nation

Indian Coast Guard Seizes Iran-Linked Oil Tankers, Crew Arrested for Illegal Activities

Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized three oil tankers linked to Iran, suspected of oil smuggling, around 100 nautical miles off the Mumbai coast. Investigations revealed that the vessels had deliberately turned off their sensors to conceal movements and carried out unauthorized ship-to-ship transfers. Following the seizure, two crew members, including the tanker master, were arrested in Mumbai. Tankers Operated with Sensors Turned Off According to the FIR registered on February 15 at Yellow Gate Police Station in Mumbai, one of the tankers, Asphalt Star, sailed near the Pakistan Maritime Boundary between January 20 and 28 without identification. The ships had switched off their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and other sensors to hide their activities. The FIR, ...