Asia Now

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai tomorrow. During the meeting, the two leaders will review progress made in the India-France Strategic Partnership and exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. Mr Macron will be on a three-day official visit to India from tomorrow at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit. This will be President Macron’s fourth visit to India and h

The Election Commission on Sunday night suspended seven AEROs (Assistant Electoral Registration Officers) in West Bengal over multiple allegations of irregularities. Two from Canning Purba, and one each from Suti, Maynaguri, Samsherganj, Debra, and Farakka constituencies are among those facing action. The Commission has also directed that disciplinary proceedings should be initiated immediately against the suspended officers by the cadre controlling authority concerned withou

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates today visited Andhra Pradesh and held discussions with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the use of technology in governance and public health. Mr Gates was received at Gannavaram Airport this morning by State Minister Nara Lokesh and senior officials. At the State Secretariat in Amaravati, he was welcomed by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The Chief Minister introduced members of his cabine

In a moment of immense pride for Maharashtra, Dr. Rajesh Tanaji Mhatre has been conferred with the prestigious Bharat Kamal Puraskar 2026. This distinguished honor is jointly presented by the Bharat Seva Society in collaboration with the Veyil Foundation, recognizing individuals whose service has created a meaningful and lasting impact on society. Dr. Mhatre’s selection for this esteemed award stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to social work spanning an extra

The International Space Station has returned to full crew strength with the arrival of four new astronauts, replacing colleagues who left early due to health concerns. The new arrivals, who are set to spend eight to nine months aboard the station, are NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, France’s Sophie Adenot, and Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev. Last month’s medical evacuation was NASA’s first in 65 years of human spaceflight. One of the four astronauts launched by Spa

The United States military has said it carried out more than 10 strikes on more than 30 Islamic State targets in Syria earlier this month. The attack was carried in retaliation for the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in an ambush in December. US Central Command said the strikes, conducted between February 3 and February 12, targeted weapons storage sites, communication hubs and other infrastructure linked to the militant group. According to Central

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the immediate suspension of Executive Engineer Satyajit Salve following an accident on Metro Line 4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali corridor) in Mulund on Saturday. One person lost his life in the incident and three others were injured. Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr Shinde said that the medical expenses of those injured would be borne by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar said that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is meant to ensure connectivity, logistics and trade. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference yesterday, Dr Jaishankar stressed that reforms of the United Nations are urgently required to ensure it reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and remains effective in addressing today’s global challenges. Talking about India’s oil procurement, the Minister said that oi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Emergency Landing Facility on Moran Bypass, developed along a national highway in Dibrugarh district of Assam. The Prime Minister, who is on a day-long visit to Assam, landed at the Emergency Landing Facility this morning. The Prime Minister also witnessed the aerial display of Fighters and Helicopters in which Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, AN-31, Tajesh and Advance Light Helicopters performed. The Emergency Lan

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today paid homage to the brave personnel who laid down their lives in the Pulwama terror attack of 2019. In a social media post, the Vice President said that the supreme sacrifice of the security personnel will forever remain etched in the country’s memory. In another social media post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the devotion, resolve, and service of t

India’s High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta held a meeting with Fiji’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister, Sakiasi Ditoka, discussing new avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across priority sectors of mutual interest. The meeting reaffirmed the enduring India-Fiji Veilomani Dosti partnership, and exploring new avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across priority sectors of mutual interest, Indian High Commission in Fiji posted on X.

The Trump administration has reached a trade deal with Taiwan, with Taiwan agreeing to remove or reduce 99 per cent of its tariff barriers. The office of the US Trade Representative yesterday informed that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Taiwan’s Vice Premier Li-chiun Cheng signed the reciprocal agreement in Washington. Taiwan’s exports to the US will be taxed at a 15 per cent rate or the US government’s Most Favoured Nation rate. Under the deal, Taiwan will make i

As US President Donald Trump considers whether to take possible military action against Iran, the world’s largest aircraft carrier has been ordered to sail from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East. The move by the USS Gerald R. Ford will put two carriers and their accompanying warships in the region as Trump increases pressure on Iran to make a deal over its nuclear programme, reports said. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived

Both Houses of Parliament will adjourn for a recess in the ongoing budget session to reassemble on 9th of next month. The budget session is being held in two phases, the first phase began on 28th January with the address of President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of both Houses. The second phase will be held till 2nd April. Yesterday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to a discussion on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha. She said, the government is focused

World Radio Day is being observed today. The Day is observed on 13th February every year to commemorate the establishment of the United Nations Radio in 1946. The theme this year is “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.” To mark World Radio Day 2026, Akashvani Raipur, Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with UNESCO, is organising a World Radio Day Conclave today. The conclave is centred on the official theme and will deliberate on how AI can strengthen c

In Thailand, a 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern, briefly taking people hostage in a two-hour attack that killed one person and injured two others. Police also injured the assailant in a gun battle in Songkhla province before taking him into custody to end the standoff. The attack took place yesterday shortly after classes were dismissed. The school’s director died in a hospital today after being severely injured in the a

Municipal elections in Telangana concluded peacefully, apart from a few stray incidents, with electoral officials reporting a total voter turnout of 73.01 percent across the state. Voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Among the municipalities, Choutuppal in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district registered the highest turnout at 91.91 percent, whereas Nandikonda in Nalgonda district recorded the lowest at 59.68 percent. Regarding the municipal corporations,

Seeking to avoid any future unwarranted complication over the continuity of certain laws replaced by the Industrial Relations Code of 2020, an amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha yesterday. The Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 was introduced by Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya in the House during Zero Hour. The Bill is expected to be taken up for consideration and passing today. According to the statement of objects and reaso

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government will move a Privilege Notice against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for making baseless statements and misleading the Lok Sabha during the Budget discussion. Talking to news persons yesterday, Mr Rijiju said Rahul Gandhi also made useless and false allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Rijiju noted that on what basis Mr Gandhi made a serious allegation without giving any notice. He further

Several Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat, suspended their services to Cuba, citing an aviation fuel shortage on the island. This suspension comes as the US tightens its grip on the nation’s oil supply by blocking shipments from Venezuela. A statement by the Air Canada airline said that it will operate empty flights to Cuba to pick up and return customers. Over the following days, the empty flights will pick up nearly three thousand passengers

Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, in New Delhi. They discussed strengthening strategic ties, with a focus on semiconductors, electronics manufacturing and supply chain resilience. In a social media post yesterday, Mr Vaishnaw said he looks forward to strong participation from the United States in the AI Impact Summit 2026.

President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in honour of visiting Seychelles President Patrick Herminie at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Welcoming him yesterday, she said that India’s relationship with Seychelles is based on mutual trust and respect, and shared belief in democracy and pluralism. She said, the waves of the Indian Ocean and the deep cultural links between our peoples bind us together. President Droupadi Murmu said, this year, Seychelles is celebrating 50 years of its inde

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12 noon following the opposition’s uproar during Question Hour. When the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, the presiding officer, P C Mohan, tried to take up Question Hour, but the opposition members, including Congress, TMC and DMK, among others, trooped into the well and started sloganeering. He appealed to them to allow the House to function and take up Question Hour. Amidst a noisy scene, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Dairyin