Nation

New Delhi: The political temperature in Parliament is set to rise as the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is likely to be debated and put to vote on March 9, the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday stated that the government intends to take up the motion immediately and settle the matter before proceeding with its legislative agenda for the session. Rijiju asserted that the Opposition’s attempt to remove the Speaker over allegations of bias is unlikely to succeed. “On March 9, we will debate the no-confidence motion brought against the Speaker in the Lok Sabha. After the debate, voting will take place,” Rijiju told The Times of India. NDA Confident of Numbers in the Hou...

New Delhi: The stage is set for one of India’s biggest technology events as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 today at 5 PM at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The five-day mega event will continue till February 20 and is expected to showcase the practical and transformative applications of Artificial Intelligence across sectors. Organised alongside the India AI Impact Summit, the expo aims to serve as a national platform for innovation, policymaking and technological advancement, with a strong focus on making AI solutions accessible and beneficial to the common citizen. Expo Spread Across 10 Arenas Over 70,000 Sq Metres The AI expo will be hosted across 10 dedicated arenas, covering an area of more than 70,000 square metres. It will ...

New Delhi: Even as winter appears to be gradually weakening across North India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather alert, warning that cold conditions may return in the coming days. According to the IMD, rainfall accompanied by strong winds and lightning is likely to affect several parts of North India between February 16 and February 18, potentially increasing weather-related disruptions. The department has also issued a dense fog warning for 34 districts across multiple states. Rain Forecast for the Next Three Days The IMD has predicted rainfall activity in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh: Rain likely on February 16 and 17 Uttarakhand and Himach...

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent interview to news agency PTI, calling it a “carefully scripted and desperate public relations exercise” aimed at diverting attention from pressing national issues. Reacting strongly, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister gave the interview to shift focus away from criticism surrounding the Union Budget and the opposition’s aggressive stance in Parliament. “PM Needed This Interview to Change the Narrative” In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh claimed that the Prime Minister was compelled to engage in media outreach because the latest budget has failed to impress investors and has received a negative response from the market. He said the budget...

New Delhi/Dhaka: Bangladesh’s recent general election has not only reshaped the political landscape in Dhaka but has also created a fresh strategic equation for India’s security, economic and geopolitical interests in South Asia. In a significant development, the Pakistan-supported Jamaat-e-Islami has suffered a major electoral defeat — a result being viewed in New Delhi as a positive outcome for regional stability. Analysts believe that had Jamaat emerged victorious, it could have acted as a proxy for Pakistan, potentially strengthening extremist networks in Bangladesh and posing a direct threat to India’s eastern security architecture. A New Political Shift in Dhaka Bangladesh is now set to witness the rise of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government, with Tarique Rah...

New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s air defence preparedness, the government has reportedly given approval for the procurement of 288 surface-to-air missiles for the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence system. The move is being seen as a major strategic step to strengthen India’s capability to counter aerial threats, especially from hostile neighbours. The decision comes close on the heels of another major update in India-Russia defence cooperation, as reports suggest that the remaining two squadrons of the S-400 system are expected to be delivered within 2026. Defence Acquisition Council Approves Procurement According to reports, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase o...

New Delhi: In a major strategic signal amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the United States has once again underlined that India is one of its most important defence partners in the region. Washington believes that strengthening defence ties with India is essential to counter China’s growing influence and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific. This was stated by S. Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, during his testimony before the US Congress on February 11. Kapur was addressing a subcommittee on the topic “South Asia: US Foreign Policy in the Region.” US Focus on Trade, Defence Cooperation and Investment During the hearing, Kapur explained that the United States is prioritizing deeper engagement with South Asian countries thr...

New Delhi: As the results of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections become increasingly clear, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led alliance has emerged with a decisive majority, paving the way for BNP chief Tarique Rahman—son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia—to likely become the country’s next Prime Minister. In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to Tarique Rahman on the party’s sweeping victory. PM Modi’s Message of Congratulations Taking to social media, PM Modi praised the BNP’s strong performance and described the victory as a reflection of the Bangladeshi people’s faith in Rahman’s leadership. In his message, Modi stated: “Heartiest congratulations to Mr Tarique Rahman for leading BNP to a ...

New Delhi: Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Government of India has transformed women empowerment from a mere slogan into a strong policy framework backed by institutional support and effective implementation. One such major initiative reflecting this vision is the SHe-Box portal, designed to strengthen the protection of women’s dignity, safety, and justice at workplaces across the country. The portal has been developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is being seen as a powerful digital mechanism to ensure that women can work in a secure, respectful, and harassment-free environment. Women-Led Development at the Core of India’s Vision 2047 Speaking on the initiative, Union Minister Savitri Thakur stated that the government’s vision for India’s...

New Delhi: The alarming reality of India’s deteriorating road infrastructure has once again come to the forefront, as official data reveals that 9,438 people lost their lives in pothole-related accidents between 2020 and 2024. The figures underline a disturbing pattern of negligence, raising serious questions about road maintenance and public safety across the country. While citizens continue to face daily risks while commuting, the numbers indicate that potholes have become not just an inconvenience, but a deadly hazard. Uttar Pradesh Records More Than Half of Total Deaths Among all states, Uttar Pradesh (UP) reported the highest number of pothole-related fatalities. Shockingly, the state alone accounted for 5,127 deaths, which is more than half of the national total over the fiv...