National News

Their act is unprecedented in a part of the State known for hunting and preference for bushmeat

The Supreme Court on Thursday emphasized voters' right to information for its cardinality in ensuring purity in elections that support democracy, ruling that it trumped the corporate sector's right to informational privacy constitutionally. "Information about funding of political parties is essential for effective exercise of the choice of voting," the court said, emphatically declaring the winner in the rights-versus-rights battle.

TMC leader and former Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra has been summoned by Enforcement Directorate for questioning on Feb 19 in connection with some transactions in foreign currencies. Moitra was disqualified from Lok Sabha last year after Ethics Committee recommended her expulsion based on an affidavit from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani claiming that he got her to raise questions in the lower House to target his business rival Gautam Adani.

The CBI is learnt to have examined Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in connection with their investigation into allegations of corruption in raising questions in the House that had led to TMC leader Mahua Moitra getting disqualified from the Lok Sabha last year. The agency has purportedly received a reply from Moitra as well but CBI didn't confirm this.

Demands for the removal of Christian symbols from missionary schools disturbing, the forum said

Naresh Tikait, national president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Tikait), stated on Thursday that they will debate the topic of farmer agitation at a'monthly panchayat' on February 17 and make a decision on whether to participate in the ongoing farmer protests. "We'll decide our next move after that," he stated in Muzaffarnagar.

The projects concern urban transport, health, rail and tourism sectors

Taking strong exception to Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claiming that RSS may be behind allegations of sexual assault levelled against Trinamool Congress members in Sandeshkhali, BJP on Thursday said her statement was "most deplorable and strongly condemnable".

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused BJP of bringing in workers from outside the state to instigate violence in Sandeshkhali and fabricate a minority-vs-Adivasi dispute there. She said the area is "vulnerable to riots and has an RSS base". Speaking in the assembly, Mamata alleged that the "primary target" was Sheikh Shahjahan, a fugitive strongman of the governing TMC accused in attacks on ED officers last month. "Tension there is not new. We handled the situation during Saraswati Puja or else there were other plans," she said.

Farmers in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh are unlikely to benefit from the implementation of the C2+50% method for calculating MSP of wheat because they would receive an identical amount under the old formula in the upcoming marketing season. An analysis of the data from CACP shows that farmers in two states are already getting MSP that is 50% higher than the comprehensive cost.

The former MLA is likely to join Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction

Smugglers escape, oxen detained, court asks Excise Department to ensure the care of the animals

An 80-year old man who flew in with his wife, both of them booked as wheelchair passengers on an Air India flight from New York, collapsed at Mumbai airport immigration counter and died on Monday. The deceased was an Indian-origin, US-passport holder. They had pre-booked the wheelchair facility. The couple was booked in economy class of Mumbai-bound Air India flight AI-116 that left New York on Sunday.

For instance, the Punjab regiment has incorporated Ghtaka in the training regime, the Gorkha Regiment the Khukri dance and the Kalari Payattu by the Madras regiment

Gopalika and other officials to appear before the committee on February 19

Haryana govt has claimed in its status report submitted before Punjab and Haryana HC that they had inputs regarding thousands of agitators moving in modified tractors/trolleys with weapons for camping in Delhi and laying siege to Parliament. It has also claimed that agitation was "not peaceful" and would "cause huge damage to common citizens as well as institutions".

Since January, various hospitals across India have started advertising the availability of NexCAR19 to treat certain blood cancers. Research papers on NexCAR19 are being uploaded, patients who participated in the drug's trial are speaking about their near-death-to-remission experiences and there's a buzz in oncology circles that cannot be missed.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum, an umbrella body of Kuki-Zo people, said one person was shot dead by security forces and at least 25 others were injured

PM Narendra Modi Thursday thanked Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the release of eight ex-Indian Navy personnel, saying India was gratified to see them return home, in a bilateral meeting. While no agreement was signed during the visit, govt officials said Modi's engagements in Qatar would help further deepen India's cooperation with Qatar in a range of areas, including trade, investment, energy and regional security.