Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on February 5, 2026, unveiled Bharat Taxi at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi-NCR, positioning it as India’s first government-supported, cooperative ride-hailing platform. The service, run by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, begins with an initial fleet of roughly 2.5 lakh vehicles and promises a zero-commission structure in which drivers retain the…
War, Stalled Diplomacy, and a Grinding Stalemate Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, another attempt at diplomacy has begun, with US-mediated talks resuming in early February 2026. The negotiations follow a protracted conflict marked by battlefield stalemates, failed peace initiatives, and deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv. While frontlines have shifted only marginally in…
Odisha has set out to reposition itself as a global centre for artificial intelligence, financial technology, and insurance innovation through the Black Swan Summit in Bhubaneswar. The event, bringing together international investors, policymakers, and technology leaders, reflects the state’s ambition to move beyond its traditional industrial base and emerge as a major node in India’s digital…
The Washington Post’s decision to lay off more than 300 employees — roughly a third of its newsroom — has underscored the accelerating upheaval within legacy media. The sweeping cuts, affecting reporting desks from international coverage to culture and sports, illustrate how even storied institutions are reshaping operations as digital disruption, declining advertising revenue, and changing…
Origins of the JF-17 Thunder The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft positioned in the 4.5-generation category. It emerged from a 1998 joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, conceived to replace the Pakistan Air Force’s ageing Mirage III/V and F-7 fleets. Designed with affordability as…
Odisha has emerged as a major beneficiary of the Union Budget 2026–27, securing an unprecedented ₹10,928 crore allocation for railways—the highest ever for the state. Announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the outlay marks a clear step-up from last year’s ₹10,599 crore and represents a dramatic rise from the pre-2014 annual average of under ₹900 crore….
Chief Justice Sounds Alarm on WhatsApp’s Data Practices India’s Chief Justice has delivered a pointed warning to Meta Platforms, questioning whether WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policy aligns with constitutional protections and the realities of India’s vast, diverse user base. During a February 3, 2026 hearing, the Supreme Court made it clear that global technology companies cannot impose…
India Pushes Back on Russian Oil Claims India has not formally committed to ending its purchases of Russian crude oil as part of its latest trade understanding with the United States, despite claims to the contrary from President Donald Trump. While Washington has linked the deal to a strategic shift in India’s energy sourcing, New Delhi has…
A Landmark Commitment to Learning The Union Budget 2026–27 marks a decisive moment for India’s education sector, setting aside a record ₹1.39 lakh crore—an increase of 8.27% over the previous year. At a time when India is positioning itself for growth driven by artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and services, this allocation signals a clear…
A New Honour on a Global Journey The Dalai Lama has added an unexpected yet fitting distinction to his long list of international accolades: a Grammy Award. At the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, the 90-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader won in the category of Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording. The…
