Times of India

Political discussions have intensified as BJP minister Chandrakant Patil expressed his optimism for a Shiv Sena (UBT)-BJP reunion at a recent wedding event. Patil's sentiment echoes among Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, despite past political differences and the influence of leaders like Amit Shah on their alliance.

Maharashtra has decided to remove eggs and sugar from the midday meal menu for classes 1 to 8, following the pattern of other BJP-governed states. This move has been criticized by opposition members, who believe that the government's revised menu, which includes 'egg pulao' and nachni sattu, is not in the best interest of schoolchildren.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Congress for not effectively protecting the interests of Dalits and backward classes since the 1990s, resulting in loss of support. He believed this allowed the rise of RSS and BJP. Gandhi emphasized the need for internal reforms to regain the confidence of marginalized communities.

An international study has cautioned that the growing number of hydroelectric projects near glacier lakes in the Himalayas increases risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). The 2023 flood that destroyed Sikkim's Teesta III project underscores the vulnerability of Himalayan hydropower infrastructure to extreme natural events exacerbated by climate change.

Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the impact of social media in exposing government shortcomings, emphasizing the need for quick resolution of road quality issues. He advocated for the mandatory adoption of Automated and Intelligent Machine-Aided Construction technology in highway projects to enhance efficiency and transparency.

A 40-year-old home guard, Suresh Kumar, was arrested in Bengaluru for barging into a rented home of college girls, misbehaving with one, and extorting ₹5,000 from a male collegemate. He falsely claimed to be a crime branch officer and coerced the students, leading to his arrest by the police.

The Uttarakhand state government clarified that a religious certificate is necessary only for live-in relationships classified as 'prohibited' under Schedule 1 of the UCC Act. Non-prohibited relationships require basic documents like proof of residence and Aadhaar. Inter-caste or inter-faith marriages remain unaffected.

Indian astronaut Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, set to be the pilot for Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission in 2025, shares insights from his training. He emphasizes its distributed and complex nature and its value for India’s Gaganyaan mission. Shukla will capture ISS experiences for Indian citizens and plans to take culturally significant items aboard the mission.

Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, faced sharp questioning from lawmakers during her Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday. A key issue was her past support for Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who exposed US surveillance programmes and fled to Russia. She said she would not recommend a pardon for Snowden, whom she had earlier called 'brave'.

The 2025 Champions Trophy will omit the pre-tournament captains' photo-op due to varying team arrival schedules, including late arrivals of England and Australia. Consequently, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, will remain in Dubai with the team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will host an event in Lahore prior to the tournament's commencement on February 19.

The political rivalry between AAP and Congress in Delhi has intensified as Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi engage in direct attacks. Accusations of corruption and alliances with the BJP are central to their dispute. This conflict could influence the cohesion and future of the opposition's INDIA bloc.

Kash Patel, nominated by Donald Trump to lead the FBI, faced rigorous scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing. He promised transparency and adherence to protocols if confirmed. Concerns were raised over his past criticisms of FBI investigations into Trump and his controversial statements about making significant changes to the bureau, including relocating its employees.

Samuel Ebenezer Sampath, a homeopath from Austria, was arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend Cynthia and her father, Samuel Shankar, in their Chennai apartment. To mask the smell of the decomposing bodies, Ebenezer sprayed chemicals and left the city. The bodies were discovered four months later after neighbors complained of a foul odor.

During her confirmation hearing, Tulsi Gabbard accused the Biden administration of manipulating the intelligence community to suppress reports on Hunter Biden's laptop and targeting her after she criticised Kamala Harris. Gabbard alleged she was placed on a domestic terror watchlist. Her statements have drawn criticism, including accusations of Russian disinformation and defending Syrian President Bashar Assad.