Natioanal

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for rain across nine states, along with snowfall warnings for hilly regions including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A significant cold wave is expected to continue in several districts, affecting life and daily activities. Heavy Rainfall Alert in North IndiaFor 2–3 February, IMD has issued heavy rainfall warnings for seven states in North India, with two additional states also expected to receive rainfall. The states under alert include Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana, Eastern Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Winds in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh are expected to reach speeds of up to 50 km/h, accompanied by thunderstorms. Strong winds ar...

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters, capable of claiming lives and devastating landscapes and human settlements in an instant. Few countries—be it China, Pakistan, India, the USA, or Russia—have remained untouched by the havoc caused by earthquakes. On this day, February 2, history witnessed one of the deadliest earthquakes ever recorded. The Deadliest Earthquake in History – China, 1556Exactly 470 years ago, on February 2, 1556, China’s Shanxi province experienced the most catastrophic earthquake in recorded history. Measuring approximately 8.0 in magnitude, the disaster claimed around 800,000 lives, leaving complete devastation in its wake. While the Valdivia earthquake in Chile, with a magnitude of 9.5, remains the strongest earthquake measured, it caused sig...

The Union Budget 2026 has drawn attention to economic growth, sectoral priorities, and the potential impact on India’s development. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, shared his insights on the budget and its implications for the country. Focus on Economic GrowthDespite global conflicts and heightened economic uncertainties, India’s growth remains robust, and the economy appears resilient. The budget anticipates that the pace of economic progress will continue strongly in the upcoming financial year. Financial Discipline MaintainedManaging fiscal discipline while promoting economic growth is never easy, yet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has achieved this balance effectively. Presenting her ninth budget, she emphasized both stability and growth, ensuring t...

New Delhi: Another incident of alleged misbehavior with airline cabin crew has been reported in India. On Friday, two passengers on an Akasa Airlines flight from Goa to Delhi allegedly harassed the cabin crew, causing the flight to be delayed by one and a half hours. The passengers were eventually removed from the aircraft. Incident on Goa-Delhi Flight QP1358According to sources, the incident occurred on Flight QP1358 while cabin crew members were assisting passengers in storing their luggage in the overhead compartments before takeoff. Crew member Abhinav was helping other passengers when Anup Bhargava and Chandan Mishra refused to store their baggage and objected to their luggage being touched. Verbal Abuse Escalates to Physical ShoveAfter an argument, Anup Bhargava allegedly becam...

New Delhi: Weather conditions across India are set to change once again on 1 February 2026. A western disturbance is expected to bring light to moderate rainfall and snowfall in the western Himalayas, while the plains of northwest and central India may also see rainfall. Dense fog warnings have been issued for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, according to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Northern States Under AlertThe IMD forecasts thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on 1 and 2 February, with strong winds reaching speeds of 30–50 km/h. Isolated hailstorms are also possible in eastern Rajasthan and western Madhya Pradesh. Dense fog is expected in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, and West Ben...

New Delhi: The United States has granted India permission to purchase crude oil from Venezuela, a move aimed at reshaping global oil trade amid shifting supply dynamics. The development comes as India has pledged to significantly reduce its oil imports from Russia, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The US intends for India to replace Russian oil imports with Venezuelan crude. This decision follows India’s commitment to cut back on its Russian oil purchases. Previously, the US had imposed tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil. Over the coming months, India is expected to reduce its daily oil imports from Russia by several hundred thousand barrels, sources indicated. Trump’s New Oil StrategyFormer US P...

New Delhi, Jan 31:The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Saturday carried out the demolition of several structures in the Anand Vihar area, which were allegedly encroaching on public land. The action followed a Delhi High Court order directing the removal of all encroachments at the multi-modal transit hub, one of the capital’s busiest transport points. The court had issued the order on January 22, putting an end to a prolonged dispute over street vending and the use of public space at Anand Vihar. Authorities said the demolition drive was aimed at restoring public order and ensuring smooth movement at the transit hub. Officials added that the exercise would continue in line with the court’s directives, and measures are being taken to ensure minimal disruption to commuters....

New Delhi: As global geopolitical tensions continue to rise, India is significantly strengthening its indigenous defence capabilities. In a major technological breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully enhanced the strike range of its next-generation surface-to-air missile system, Akash-NG, to 50 kilometres, making it a formidable threat to enemy fighter jets, cruise missiles and drones. The improved range has been achieved after the successful testing of a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, a cutting-edge propulsion system that provides thrust in two phases. This advancement enables the missile to maintain high speed and maneuverability throughout its flight, significantly improving interception accuracy against fast-moving aerial threats. A...

India and Arab nations are set to hold their second high-level meeting of foreign ministers on Saturday, a significant step aimed at reinforcing diplomatic and strategic ties between India and the Arab world. The meeting will be co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will include foreign ministers from the Arab League member states as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab League. A Decade Since the First Meeting This is the first ministerial-level gathering in ten years, following the inaugural India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Bahrain in 2016. The 2016 meeting had identified five key areas of cooperation: economy, energy, education, media, and culture, proposing several collaborative initiatives across these sectors. The upcoming meeting aims t...

The Congress party has once again targeted the Modi government, alleging a lack of coordination in policy-making. A Congress MP questioned whether the figures presented in the upcoming budget would need revision immediately after being tabled, given that new GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) series are scheduled to be released shortly after the budget. Budget to Be Presented on Sunday:Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said that the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented on Sunday. He wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “State governments are likely waiting anxiously to see what the budget holds for them, as the Finance Minister will announce the implementation of recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission.” Role of ...