Shatak Dhwaj Yatra begins at Lal Chowk with Bhagwa flag waved, marking RSS centenary and nationwide march.
The Shatak Dhwaj Yatra began at Srinagar's Lal Chowk with the Bhagwa flag waved there for the first time since Independence, launching a nationwide procession marking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's 100-year centenary; the first leg ended in Ludhiana with a 100-biker rally, cultural celebrations and a felicitation ceremony, and the events are linked to the promotional release of the commemorative film Shatak: Sangh's 100 Years.

US-India interim agreement talks and US tariff reduction on Bangladesh to 19% highlighted alongside regional election and conflict coverage.
US and India are cooperating to finalise an Interim Agreement toward a broader bilateral trade arrangement, while the United States has reduced applied tariffs on Bangladesh to 19 per cent; the release also notes related electoral developments in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Japan and ongoing coverage of Pakistan and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Markets extend third day rally as Asian peers and foreign inflows lift benchmarks amid trade optimism.
Equity benchmarks extended a three day rally as positive Asian peers and sustained foreign institutional inflows supported gains; optimism over an interim trade framework with the United States and strength in US markets boosted investor sentiment while markets awaited US employment and CPI data to guide Fed policy. Foreign institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 2,254.64 crore and Brent crude eased slightly, with several large caps among the session's gainers and select financials and consumer names lagging.

US-India trade framework requires India to cut tariffs, boost US purchases, and negotiate digital trade and supply chain rules.
The United States and India will implement a framework toward an Interim Agreement aiming to conclude a Bilateral Trade Agreement; India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on US industrial and specified agricultural goods and commit to significant purchases of US products, while the US will adjust reciprocal tariffs. The parties will continue negotiations on remaining tariffs and non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, services and investment, intellectual property, government procurement, digital trade rules including removal of digital services taxes, and measures to strengthen economic security and supply chain resilience.

Rupee weakens to 90.77 as markets stay cautious after the India-US interim trade framework; RBI intervention expected.
The rupee fell to 90.77 against the US dollar as markets reacted cautiously to the India-US interim trade framework; concerns about continued US oversight of energy imports and possible penalties diminished initial optimism. Technical support around 90.00-90.20 is viewed as key, with RBI intervention via dollar purchases expected to anchor the currency, while FII inflows have improved sentiment but their durability is uncertain.

Tina Ambani to be re summoned for questioning in a money laundering probe linked to a Manhattan condo purchase.
Enforcement Directorate to issue fresh summons for questioning in an alleged money laundering probe linked to a Manhattan condominium purchase; a prior request to depose went unmet and a former corporate executive has been attested as part of the inquiry. These actions occur within a broader investigatory framework in which a Special Investigation Team is probing alleged bank fraud and related financial irregularities concerning a corporate group on the directions of the Supreme Court.

US tariffs on Bangladesh trimmed to 19% with zero reciprocal tariff for certain apparel made with US inputs.
The United States and Bangladesh agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs to 19 per cent and to establish a mechanism granting zero reciprocal tariff treatment for certain textile and apparel goods made in Bangladesh using US produced cotton and man made fibre, alongside commitments on imports, e commerce tariff restraint, intellectual property standards, and support for WTO reform.

Lok Sabha floor disorder: BJP women MPs urge strongest disciplinary action against opposition MPs over chamber disruptions.
BJP women MPs urged the Speaker to initiate disciplinary action under House rules against opposition members for entering the well, climbing on tables, tearing and throwing papers, carrying banners, moving into treasury benches, and laying siege to the Prime Minister's seat, asserting these acts breached parliamentary decorum and requesting the strongest possible sanctions; the letter notes ruling party restraint and situates the events amid earlier disruptions and subsequent procedural consequences, including passage of the Motion of Thanks without the Prime Minister's speech and suspensions of members.

Shivakumar orders a special investigation into alleged irrigation department looting while pursuing consultations on the Mekedatu reservoir.
The Deputy Chief Minister ordered a Special Investigation Team in the Revenue Department to probe an alleged nexus looting the Irrigation Department and will pursue administrative and political consultations-meeting party leaders, the Union Water Resource Minister, legal counsels, and seeking the Chief Minister's approval-regarding pre-budget matters and the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the Cauvery.

Homeland Security funding is being negotiated with Democrats demanding strict new ICE restrictions, including warrant, ID and use-of-force reforms.
Democrats are conditioning DHS funding on enactment of strict limits on immigration enforcement: a judicial warrant requirement for entry onto private property, officer identification including removal of masks, verification of noncitizen status before detention, prohibitions on racial profiling, legal safeguards at detention centers, stricter use-of-force standards, and limits on tracking protesters with body-worn devices; negotiations with the White House and Republicans continue amid an imminent short-term funding deadline.

Israeli strikes in Gaza amid a months-long ceasefire and UN concern over expanded West Bank control.
Israeli strikes in Gaza during a months-old ceasefire killed civilians amid contested tactical exchanges; Israel describes the strikes as precise responses to fire it says violated the truce. A UN official warned that Israeli measures to deepen control over the West Bank could be unlawful and destabilising for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, linking settlement-facilitating policies to erosion of Palestinian Authority powers. Rafah crossing operations show limited humanitarian movements and unresolved authorisation and coordination issues.

AIMIM says chief ministers seek its support and alleges GST rationalisation cost Telangana Rs 7,000 crore.
AIMIM claims chief ministers seek the party's support to secure electoral and developmental gains, citing influence in the Jubilee Hills by-election. The party alleges GST rationalisation caused a Rs 7,000 crore loss to Telangana and faults the state government for not implementing promised minority-welfare funding and subsidised loans, while accusing the BJP of communalising politics and diverting attention from core issues like employment, farmers' welfare and housing.

Uttar Pradesh budget increases to Rs 8.33 lakh crore with record health allocation improving institutional deliveries and medical infrastructure.
Uttar Pradesh's budget rose to Rs 8.33 lakh crore in 2025-26 with capital expenditure up materially; the Economic Survey describes a balanced fiscal position with a reduced public debt to GSDP ratio. The Survey records a record health allocation of Rs 46,728.48 crore (6.1% of the budget), reporting reduced out of pocket expenditure, stronger medical infrastructure, expanded medical colleges and higher institutional delivery and immunisation coverage.

Maharashtra receives large tax devolution and budgeted capital expenditure to accelerate transport, rail and logistics infrastructure.
Union Budget allocates Rs 89,855.80 crore as tax devolution for Maharashtra for 2026-27 and elevates capital expenditure to accelerate transport, rail and urban transit projects, including Nagpur metro expansions and 41 rail projects, while proposing an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to bolster BOT and PPP models and reduce logistics costs.

Pune land deal: firm appeals Rs21 crore stamp duty notice as deadline nears amid FIR and probe.
An appeal has been filed against an order directing Amadea Enterprises LLP and its partner to pay Rs 21 crore in stamp duty for a 40 acre sale deed treated as government land, with a hearing before the Inspector General of Registration and possible revenue recovery measures such as bank account seizure and property attachment if unpaid; an FIR alleging evasion of stamp duty and administrative suspensions accompany an ongoing criminal probe by the Economic Offence Wing.

India oil procurement guided by national interests: diversified sources and market-based company decisions protect supply and pricing.
India's energy procurement policy is governed by national interests, prioritising adequate availability, fair pricing and reliable supply; the state will pursue diversified sources to avoid dependency while operational sourcing decisions remain with oil companies acting on market, logistical, financial and fiduciary considerations. As a net importer seeking to protect consumers from energy-driven inflation, India frames multiple suppliers and supply stability as central to its energy-security posture, and indicates that trade measures will be assessed against these procurement priorities without displacing the primacy of national interest.

AAP protest against Bajwa over alleged remark prompts police action and Scheduled Castes Commission inquiry.
AAP leaders protested an allegedly objectionable remark by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa about a Cabinet minister, leading to police measures including water cannon use and detention of AAP members; the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission took suo motu notice and sought a police report, and Bajwa has been summoned to explain and denied the remark was caste-specific while criticizing the government's priorities.

Shivakumar to visit Delhi Feb 10 to meet party leaders, water minister and legal counsels; orders SIT on irrigation corruption.
D K Shivakumar will travel to Delhi on February 10 to meet party leaders, the Union Water Resource Minister and legal counsels; he will seek Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's permission because the Chief Minister chairs the Irrigation department. Officials will brief Siddaramaiah on the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the Cauvery. Shivakumar has ordered formation of a Special Investigation Team in the Revenue Department to probe an alleged nexus looting the Irrigation Department.

Indian migration to the UK delivers skilled workers and calls for visa alignment, credential fast tracks, and study to work pathways.
Indian migration is characterised as an economic asset whose benefits depend on skills based migration matching workers to employer needs, speeding deployment where shortages are acute, and improving retention and progression. The paper recommends aligning visa routes with labour demand, creating predictable standards and qualification recognition, establishing a UK India skills and credential fast track between regulators, and strengthening a study to skilled worker conversion model to link universities, employers and health services.

Central funding disparities provoke allegations of deliberate neglect and project diversion, affecting regional development and political trust.
Telangana's Chief Minister alleges systematic disadvantage in central fiscal devolution and discretionary special-package allocations, claiming major projects were diverted from the state and that southern regions receive far lower returns on contributions; he asserts tacit political understanding between the national party and a regional rival, questions selective central investigative action in high-profile matters, and proposes consulting other regional leaders before seeking collective remedies while linking project approvals to future state revenue growth.