Nation

A Ranchi–Delhi air ambulance flight turned into a tragedy on Monday night when it crashed in the forests of Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, killing all seven people on board, including a critically injured patient. The aircraft had taken off from Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi at 7:11 pm and reportedly lost contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control at 7:34 pm, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It was being operated by Delhi-based Redbird Airways and was identified as a Beechcraft C90 aircraft. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation, with a team already at the crash site. The Victims The patient, identified as Sanjay Kumar, had reportedly suffered nearly 65% burn injuries in an accident and was bei...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia, including the looming threat of a possible U.S. strike on Iran. The visit, however, carries significance far beyond bilateral ties. Analysts believe it could contribute to a new regional strategic balance — one that may leave Pakistan and its close partner Turkey increasingly uneasy. Likely Renewal of India–Israel Security Pact During the visit, India and Israel are expected to renew and deepen their security cooperation framework. According to reports, negotiations to extend the bilateral security pact are in advanced stages and could be finalized during the Prime Minister’s trip. India and Israel share a robust partnership in counter-terrorism, defense technology, inte...

In a significant development, the Delhi Police has arrested Uday Bhanu Chib, National President of the Indian Youth Congress, in connection with a shirtless protest staged during the India-AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. According to sources, Chib has been taken into custody and is currently being held at Tilak Marg Police Station. Security has been tightened outside the police station, with personnel from both Delhi Police and the CRPF deployed at the entrance. No Official Statement Yet While Delhi Police has not issued an official statement regarding the charges, the arrest has triggered sharp political reactions. Several Congress leaders and party workers have criticized the action on social media, alleging suppression of democratic dissent. Senior Congress leader Bhupe...

The Supreme Court of India has issued notice to the Centre on a petition that raises a significant constitutional question: Is the right to perform the last rites of a deceased family member according to religious customs a fundamental right? The matter came before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta after a 57-year-old woman from Basti, Uttar Pradesh, approached the court alleging that her son’s body was cremated in the UAE without the family’s consent and without allowing them to perform the final rites. The Petition The petitioner, Savitri, stated that her 29-year-old son Pankaj had been working as a carpenter for a company in Sharjah, UAE, for the past two years. He reportedly went missing on December 2. A missing complaint was lodged with the Basti police on Jan...

Rising tensions between Iran and the United States have triggered fresh concerns in New Delhi, as Tehran has signalled the possibility of temporarily restricting movement through parts of the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. The narrow maritime passage, which connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, accounts for nearly 20 percent of global crude oil trade. Any disruption could send global energy markets into turmoil — with India among the most exposed major economies. Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters to India India imports nearly 90 percent of its crude oil requirement — roughly 5.5 million barrels per day. More than 40 percent of these supplies originate in West Asia and pass through the Strait of Hormuz. A potential closure or military escalation could affect shipm...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin his official visit to Israel on February 25, a trip widely seen as a pivotal moment in the evolving India–Israel strategic partnership. Ahead of the visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has floated the idea of a six-nation strategic framework — termed the “Hexagon of Alliances” — aimed at countering extremist threats in West Asia and beyond. The proposal has triggered intense strategic discussions in diplomatic and defence circles, particularly over whether India should formally join such a grouping. What Is the ‘Hexagon Alliance’? According to Israeli statements, the proposed six-party alliance would include India, Greece, Cyprus and select Arab, African and Asian partners. The framework is envisioned as a platform for coop...

The Congress party has intensified its opposition to the proposed India–United States interim trade deal, calling it “anti-farmer” and announcing a series of farmer conferences across six politically significant states. At a strategy meeting held in New Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi met with senior leaders from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra to chart out the campaign roadmap. Coordinating With Farmer Groups The party alleges that the interim trade arrangement with the United States would expose Indian farmers to unfair competition from heavily subsidized American agricultural products. Rahul Gandhi has warned that cotton, soybean, maize, and horticulture farmers could...

New Delhi: The weather pattern across India on 24 February 2026 shows a sharp contrast — rising temperatures in the plains, especially in Delhi-NCR, and rain and thunderstorms forecast in parts of northern and eastern India as the country transitions from winter to early spring. 🔥 Delhi-NCR: Heat Increasing The maximum temperature in Delhi has climbed past 30 °C, marking an early onset of warmth before Holi, with Monday recording 30.5 °C — about 5 °C above normal for this time of year. ([The Times of India][1]) The minimum temperature remains comfortable near 13 °C. ([www.ndtv.com][2]) With clear skies expected, the mercury is likely to stay high this week, possibly nearing 33 °C in the coming days. ([AajTak][3]) Delhi Weather Snapshot (24 Feb) 🌞 Mostly clear skies ...

In a symbolic move reflecting India’s continued effort to shed vestiges of its colonial past, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday unveiled the statue of C. Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing the statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens. The unveiling ceremony took place during the inaugural ‘Rajaji Utsav,’ an event dedicated to commemorating the life and legacy of Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji. PM Modi Calls It an “Extraordinary Initiative” Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the festival as an “extraordinary initiative” that highlights the many dimensions of Rajaji’s contribution to the nation. Reposting details of the event on social media platform X, the Prime Minister urged citizens to visit the exhibition and draw inspiration from Rajaji’s life a...