The Times of India

'Shows growing power of Indian passport wth more cxountries'

'Practising digital hygiene can reverse effects'

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has reshuffled the three-member panel investigating allegations against Allahabad High Court Justice Yashwant Varma. Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava of Madras High Court has been replaced by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar of Bombay High Court, effective March 6. The other two members of the inquiry committee remain unchanged.

HC had dismissed Jharkhand CM's petition to quash prosecution

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has deemed BSNL director Vivek Banzal's lavish, now-canceled trip to Prayagraj improper and absurd. Appropriate action will be taken against the senior executive, with a show-cause notice already issued. The extravagant arrangements, including extensive personal kits and nearly 50 officials, sparked widespread concern over misuse of resources.

Addressing the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly backed Israel on terrorism, condemning the Oct 7 attacks and naming Hamas. He asserted India's unwavering support, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against terror, drawing parallels to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Modi also endorsed the UNSC-backed Gaza peace initiative, highlighting the need for dialogue, peace, and stability in the region.

Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Modi ahead of his Israel visit. Priyanka Gandhi expressed hope he would address the Gaza genocide, while Rahul Gandhi questioned his dealings in Israel, referencing the Epstein Files and alleging foreign policy was shaped by the convicted sex offender.

Kirloskar Oil Engines is on track to deliver India's first indigenously developed 6 MW marine engine to the Indian Navy by April 2028. This initiative, under the 'Make-I' category, aims to achieve self-reliance in marine engine manufacturing, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthening domestic defense capabilities.

Defence experts at DefSat2026 stressed India's need for a robust space capability amidst global military space infrastructure growth. Discussions highlighted that persistent space power is now vital for national security, not just an ambition. The conference also saw significant B2B collaborations, with six MoUs signed, underscoring private sector confidence in India's defence space sector.

Cabinet ministers will personally present major reforms undertaken by their ministries since June 2024 in the upcoming meeting. This initiative aims to reduce compliance burdens and simplify rules for ease of living and business. Ministries are preparing two-page summaries of their most significant people-centric reforms for the presentation.

In 2006, the Indian Young Lawyers Association approached the Supreme Court of India, arguing that barring women violated constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom of religion. By 2016, the Court began openly questioning whether such a ban could withstand constitutional scrutiny. In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution Bench delivered a 4 to 1 verdict that shook Kerala.

R Nallakannu, who died in Chennai on Wednesday at the of 101, represented a generation of leaders shaped by the freedom struggle and guided by ideological discipline rather than personal ambition.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Tokyo to attract investment and boost industrial cooperation. He emphasized India's commitment to citizen welfare and security, stating development should foster global friendship and compassion. Adityanath met with business executives to discuss expanding logistics and warehousing in Uttar Pradesh, and invited them to explore medical device manufacturing opportunities.

India's recent steep cigarette tax hike has triggered immediate chaos, with prices soaring and supplies dwindling. Retailers are struggling, and consumers face inflated costs. This mirrors global trends where high taxes, without robust enforcement, fuel illicit trade and organized crime, potentially undermining public health goals and government revenue.

Veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu, aged 101, has passed away. He was admitted to the hospital on February 1 and was in the ICU due to multi-organ failure. His condition worsened on Monday and deteriorated further on Wednesday, leading to his passing. This marks the end of an era for the party.

Putting all the members of the Gandhi family, who have ruled the nation, in the dock, the Union minister said the clan never shied away from compromising the country. He went further back to attack the Nehru-Gandhi family as he highlighted the infamous Bofors scandal that was widely reported during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure and had been the reason behind the fall of his government.

The minister, while addressing the gathering in Tokyo, also asserted that Uttar Pradesh is the food basket of India and a state with the largest water resources.

A Delhi court granted bail to a man accused of abetting his former partner's suicide, stating a breakup alone isn't criminal instigation. The court noted a significant gap between the couple's last contact and the woman's death, suggesting her suicide might stem from personal reasons rather than direct provocation. The trial will determine the true cause.

Spatial clustering of marginalised communities continues to reproduce inequalitywith lower educational mobility constraining access to higher-paying jobs, which in turn shapes where families can afford to live.

TTV Dhinakaran has mocked VK Sasikala's new political party launch. He compared it to instant food and stated it will not impact the NDA's chances in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Sasikala announced her return to politics and the formation of a new Dravidian party. Dhinakaran asserted that true followers of Jayalalithaa remain united.

Harsh Singh apologized after allegations of racial slurs and intimidation against three women from Arunachal Pradesh. The incident, stemming from a dispute over repair work, led to Singh's wife Ruby Jain's arrest. Singh expressed shame and requested a fair investigation, stating the confrontation occurred in the heat of the moment.

Israel plans to bring 5,800 Bnei Menashe from India to Israel by 2030. This community believes it is descended from one of Israel's lost tribes. The Israeli government will fund their migration, including flights, Hebrew lessons, and housing. The Bnei Menashe will settle in northern Israel.

Delhi's government is extending Ayushman Bharat health scheme benefits to approximately 3.97 lakh widows and 1.31 lakh Divyang individuals, along with their families. This significant move aims to bolster health security for an additional 5.5 lakh families, ensuring no needy citizen is denied medical treatment due to financial constraints.

A BJP MP has proposed renaming Delhi to Indraprastha. He believes this name connects the capital to its ancient past. The MP cited historical evidence linking Delhi to the Mahabharata. He also suggested renaming key transport hubs. This move aims to reconnect with India's roots and foster cultural revival. The proposal follows the recent approval to rename Kerala as Keralam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi graces the front page of The Jerusalem Post ahead of his historic visit to Israel. The newspaper highlights the burgeoning India-Israel partnership and Modi's upcoming address to the Knesset, marking a significant milestone. Discussions will focus on deepening bilateral ties across various sectors, including technology, defense, and economy.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Gaza crisis during his Israel visit and speak for justice for civilians. This call comes as PM Modi embarks on a state visit to Israel. The Congress party has also criticized the government's stance on the conflict, accusing it of abandoning the Palestinian cause.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel aims to further consolidate the strong bond and strategic partnership between the two nations. Discussions with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu will focus on strengthening cooperation across various domains, including defense, trade, technology, and economic ties, while also addressing regional developments.

Splitsvilla 7 fame Mayank Pawar has passed away in Mumbai at the age of 37. The reality star and bodybuilding champion's sudden death has deeply shocked fans and the fitness industry. The exact cause of his passing remains unconfirmed, with a prayer meeting scheduled for February 25, 2026.

A parliamentary committee condemned the Youth Congress's AI summit protest, passing a resolution with a majority vote despite opposition from several parties. While praising the summit's success and significant investment pledges, the dissenters argued the committee was engaging in political maneuvering over the incident. The resolution highlighted the summit's global impact and future AI development commitments.

The Union Cabinet greenlit significant infrastructure upgrades, including three multi-tracking railway projects totaling Rs 9,072 crore to boost train capacity. Additionally, a new integrated airport terminal for Srinagar, costing Rs 1,677 crore, and a Rs 1,067 crore extension for the Ahmedabad Metro were approved. These projects aim to enhance connectivity and cater to growing passenger demand.

Two commercial flights, an Air India and an IndiGo, departed Ranchi safely Monday night amidst challenging weather. The ill-fated air ambulance, a Beechcraft C90, crashed shortly after takeoff, having requested a weather deviation. This tragedy occurred just minutes after larger airliners navigated the same turbulent conditions successfully.

Move aimed at enforcing zero-tolerance policy: DGCA

The Supreme Court has allowed the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice to enlist judicial officers from Jharkhand and Odisha to expedite the verification of 50 lakh voters in West Bengal facing 'logical discrepancy' or 'unmapped' status. The apex court clarified Aadhaar is solely for identification, not citizenship claims, and supplementary voter lists will be published post-February 28.

'Not necessarily punitive step; measure to make nota option void'