Nation

New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties, India and Bangladesh have agreed to release each other’s fishermen who were inadvertently caught across the international maritime boundary. Following the agreement, Bangladesh released 128 Indian fishermen, while India handed back 23 Bangladeshi fishermen. The move was confirmed in a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. The fishermen on both sides were detained after unintentionally crossing into the neighboring country’s territorial waters while fishing. Indian authorities had earlier detained Bangladeshi fishermen under similar circumstances. Successful Repatriation CompletedOn 29 January 2026, both governments successfully facilitated the release and return of all 23 Indian and 128 Bangladeshi ...

New Delhi / Northern India: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather alert for northern India, warning of heavy rain, strong winds, and a continuing cold wave in several states. Residents are advised to take precautions, especially the elderly and children. Heavy Rain Warning for Five Northern StatesThe IMD has issued alerts for heavy rainfall accompanied by winds reaching 40–45 km/h in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. The rainfall is expected to cause a drop in temperatures. While Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh may experience rain on 1 February, Rajasthan is likely to see rainfall on 31 January. Cold Wave in 19 DistrictsA severe cold wave is predicted in 19 districts of northern India. I...

After two decades of negotiations, India has successfully concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, being hailed as the “Mother of All Deals.” This historic agreement marks a decisive shift in global trade dynamics and delivers a clear message to the United States, particularly former President Donald Trump, whose tariff-driven and confrontational trade policies have left allies seeking alternative partners. Trump Factor and the EU Deal The deal comes amid growing global disillusionment with U.S. trade policies. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expressed disappointment over the EU-India FTA, noting that European nations preferred to diversify their trade and secure stable partnerships, even bypassing the United States. Besant also criticized Europe ...

India is rapidly advancing toward self-reliance in long-range air defense with the ambitious Project Kusha of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Under this initiative, India is developing a new generation of interceptor missiles designed to match—or even surpass—the capabilities of Russia’s formidable S-400 air defense system. Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) chief Ankanthi Raju has shared key insights into this high-profile project. Three-Layered Air Defense: M1, M2, and M3 Project Kusha aims to create a “layered air defense shield” with three specialized interceptors—M1, M2, and M3. Together, these missiles will neutralize a wide spectrum of aerial threats, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and other critical airborne targets. The...

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the central government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) while staying the implementation of the UGC’s “Promotion of Equity Regulations 2026.” The top court expressed serious concerns about the rules, calling them vague and potentially prone to misuse, and suggested that they be reviewed by a committee of eminent jurists. The regulations, notified on January 13, were framed to address caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, following a 2019 public interest litigation filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who had allegedly faced caste discrimination on campuses. However, three petitions filed by individuals including Mrityunjay Tiwari, advocate Vineet Jindal, and Rahul Diwan challenged the new ...

The Supreme Court has put a stay on the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) “Promotion of Equity Regulations 2026,” citing concerns that the rules are unclear and susceptible to misuse. The top court has asked the central government to respond on the matter. The regulations, issued by UGC on January 23, aimed to promote equality in higher education institutions. However, several petitioners challenged the guidelines, claiming they were arbitrary, discriminatory, and in violation of the Constitution and the UGC Act, 1956. The court’s decision comes as relief for those opposing the regulations. Petitioners argued that the rules undermined the principle of equality and could exclude certain groups. They also contended that the regulations contravened provisions of the UGC Act. With the...

In view of the rising incidents of dog bites across the country, the central government has issued strict directives to all government and private hospitals to maintain a permanent stock of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted that increasing dog-bite cases pose a serious public health threat. Hospitals are now required to ensure uninterrupted availability of these life-saving medicines. Strict Guidelines for Public SpacesThe government has also emphasized the need for heightened medical preparedness in crowded institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations, to prevent stray dogs from entering these premises. Instructions to States and MinistriesAccordin...

In a significant move amid speculations about internal differences within the Congress party, MP Shashi Tharoor met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament on Thursday. The meeting, which lasted around half an hour, provided a platform for Tharoor to share his concerns and thoughts with the party leadership. Speaking to the media afterward, Tharoor said, “I had a discussion with two of my party leaders—the Leader of Opposition and the Congress President. It was a very good, constructive, and positive conversation. Everything is fine, and we are all working together. What else can I say? I have always campaigned for the party; where haven’t I campaigned?” When asked whether the discussion touched upon the Chief Minister of Ker...

New Delhi, January 29, 2026: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at the Parliament on Thursday, in a meeting that lasted over half an hour. The discussion, according to sources, focused on internal party matters that Tharoor recently raised, signaling a continued dialogue between the senior MP and the party leadership. Tharoor, who has been with the Congress for 17 years, emphasized that he has always adhered to the party’s stance in Parliament and prefers resolving issues internally rather than publicly. “There are matters I wish to discuss with the party leadership on an appropriate platform. I hope to present my concerns clearly and understand their perspective through constructive dialogue,” he stated. Th...