VSR Ventures Learjet 45 investigation nearing completion; preliminary flight recorder findings released; Baramati crash black box recovered.
AAIB reports the September 14, 2023 Learjet 45 (VT-DBL) accident investigation is in final stages after analysis of evidence; the aircraft drifted right of Runway 27 and crash-landed at the shoulder of the intersection of Taxiway W and N, was destroyed, and a detailed preliminary report with initial flight recorder outcomes was prepared and published. The co-pilot suffered serious injury, delaying interview. Separately, the Baramati Learjet 45 crash is under expeditious investigation and its black box has been recovered.

Global markets slid as concern over the Fed chair nomination and AI-driven bubbles triggered volatility and commodity pullbacks.
Markets declined as investors worried that the nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve could weaken central bank independence and delay rate cuts; combined with hotter wholesale inflation and profit-taking in AI-linked tech and precious metals, this produced sharp losses in technology-sensitive exchanges, drops in major global indices, and reversals in gold, silver and oil prices.

Jammu and Kashmir posts ~11% nominal growth with SASCI loans, DBT transfers and major road investments driving momentum.
Jammu and Kashmir's economy recorded nominal growth of about 11% in 2024-25 supported by policy reforms, infrastructure investment and enhanced revenue mobilization. Financial measures include extension of SASCI interest free loans with Rs 1,431 crore sanctioned for 222 projects (Rs 1,083 crore first instalment) and Rs 210 crore matching for 12 schemes. Digital governance delivered 82 crore e transactions, 128 services on DigiLocker, complete Aadhaar seeding and DBT transfers of about Rs 9,000 crore to 80 lakh beneficiaries across 77 schemes. An AI strategy, banking reforms and Rs 61,528 crore road investments were also highlighted.

Union Budget 2026 advances tax simplification, NBFC reform, an SME Growth Fund and incentives for data centre investment.
The budget implements a New Income Tax Act effective April 2026 with simplified TDS/TCS and extended return revision timelines to reduce compliance friction and litigation, proposes a High Level Committee on Banking and the restructuring of public sector NBFCs to improve scale and long term infrastructure financing, and establishes a ?10,000 crore SME Growth Fund alongside additional allocations to support microenterprise capital and professional led Corporate Mitras; it also offers tax holidays for foreign cloud providers using Indian data centres and rationalises safe harbour norms with automated IT approvals.

Union Budget neglect of Kerala prompts CPI(M) to observe Feb 3 as a statewide 'Black Day' protest.
The CPI(M) criticised the Union Budget for neglecting Kerala, saying none of the state's 29 demands were met and no long-pending projects funded; it flagged omissions including AIIMS, high-speed rail corridors, a Vizhinjam port package, Ayurveda AIIMS, inland water transport projects, a rubber price stabilisation fund and a proposed railway coach factory. The party alleged the Budget favoured corporate interests and cut employment guarantee spending and welfare supports, and called for statewide black-flag protests and demonstrations on February 3.

Sikkim Chamber of Commerce welcomes Union Budget, highlighting regional development and inclusion in the Buddhist Circuits tourism scheme.
The Sikkim Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 for pairing growth with fiscal discipline, emphasising infrastructure development, capital expenditure and connectivity as drivers of long-term growth and employment. It welcomed Sikkim's inclusion in the "Scheme for Development of Buddhist Circuits" for temple and monastery preservation and tourism promotion, and noted that continued support for health, education, rural development, women empowerment, plus central tax devolution and grants, will provide financial stability despite no immediate tax relief.

Tejashwi Yadav criticises Bihar government for misrepresenting development and failing on crime and rule of law.
Tejashwi Yadav criticised the state administration for presenting an overly positive governor's address allegedly prepared by the government, asserting Bihar lags on development indicators despite long incumbency and charging the government with failing to address recurring crimes including rapes and murders, thereby calling into question its claim to maintain rule of law.

Tejasvi Surya criticises a decade of UPA rule while seconding the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address.
The MP seconded the Motion of Thanks, describing the prior decade as a "decade of lost opportunities" and a defensive narrative in the President's Address, criticised the former government's stance on terrorism and Naxalism, and asserted the incumbent administration delivered on national security, economic resilience, youth empowerment and cultural recognition.

Union Budget criticised as weakest; Karnataka alleges neglect of agriculture, industry, education and infrastructure and inadequate allocations.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara labelled the Union Budget the weakest among nine, alleging it neglects agriculture, industry, education and infrastructure, provides no meaningful schemes for Karnataka, and fails to translate substantial Centre borrowing (about Rs 16 lakh crore of a Rs 53.50 lakh crore Budget) into public benefits. He also noted a Special Investigation Team has been formed in a local realtor's suicide to prevent speculation and determine roles of involved persons.

Union Budget 2026 defended as a blueprint for self-reliance; opposition criticism called politically motivated and irrelevant.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi defends the Union Budget 2026 as a blueprint for self-reliance and sustained economic stability, and dismisses opposition criticism as politically motivated and intellectually bankrupt, arguing such critics are becoming politically irrelevant and linking opposition conduct to a decline in respect for constitutional institutions.

West Bengal pending central dues alleged to be withheld, claimed as violation of federal structure; MPs staged a parliamentary walkout.
Members staged a parliamentary walkout alleging the Centre has withheld about Rs 2 lakh crore in central transfers, including MGNREGA, Awas Yojana and PMAY funds, and arguing this withholding is a violation of the federal structure and Centre-state relations tied to alleged political discrimination and omission of the state from the Union Budget.

Gen Z concert travel is rising but venue and infrastructure gaps push demand overseas; policy intervention urged.
Concert-led travel among India's Gen Z is rising (c.62% plan music-led trips), but limited venue capacity, surge pricing, and transport and accommodation bottlenecks are causing 'outbound arbitrage' to overseas destinations; the study highlights substantial spillover revenue from extended stays and calls for urgent policy and infrastructure interventions to retain economic value domestically.

One crore jobs pledged in Bihar by 2030, paired with women's grants, increased police strength, and service expansion.
The state government commits to creating one crore jobs by 2030, having provided jobs to 50 lakh youths to date. It prioritises rule of law and communal harmony while increasing police strength to 1.21 lakh personnel and 10,380 police stations. Women's economic empowerment is advanced through 1.40 crore Jeevika self help group members and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, which allocated Rs 10,000 crore for women entrepreneurs with up to Rs two lakh available for effective recipients, alongside measures to raise farmers' incomes and expand health and education infrastructure.

Star Air received an award for regional/UDAN connectivity, citing fleet growth and expansion of regional routes.
Star Air was conferred the 'Best Airline - Regional/UDAN Connectivity' award in recognition of its role in strengthening regional air connectivity under the UDAN initiative. The airline reports six years of uninterrupted service, nearly 3 million passengers, a schedule expanding from 455 to 550 weekly flights, and plans to grow its Embraer fleet while expanding beyond UDAN routes into select commercial city pairs.

Hettich India named among Top 50 manufacturing workplaces for its employee-centric HR practices and development programs.
Hettich India was recognised among the Top 50 India's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing (Large Category) after assessment of employee feedback, HR systems, leadership effectiveness, and organisational practices, reflecting transparent policies, an inclusive culture, and sustained focus on employee development, recognition, engagement, innovation, and well-being implemented through structured programs and platforms.

Patient safety as a leadership priority: equity, implementation, and AI-enabled clinical decision support to reduce harm.
Patient safety was positioned as a leadership and governance priority requiring shared organisational accountability, equity-driven design, implementation efficiency and disciplined digital transformation. Delegates urged prevention-focused care, measurable outcomes, systems thinking to avoid ineffective safety activity, and clinician-led culture change. A practical collaboration-an MoU between Apollo Hospitals and Roche Diagnostics India-was announced to integrate AI into clinical decision-making to improve consistency, earlier risk identification and safer, standardised care.

Osstem Implant expands digital dental solutions in India with market leading implants, exclusive scanner distribution and clinical training.
Osstem Implant claims a 35% market share in India and attributes growth to the TSIII SA implant's design and surface treatment, expansion of premium lines ('CA' and 'NH_HA'), exclusive distribution of the Medit i900 Mobility intraoral scanner and integration of OneGuide/OneCAS digital surgical kits, plus promotion of its T2 Plus CBCT and extensive clinical education programs.

Gstar solar modules cleared regulatory certification to permit legal import, sale and deployment under compulsory registration.
Gstar certified its 183N and 210RN PV module series under India's updated national PV standard, affirming compliance with the technical and quality-management requirements required for legal import, sale, and deployment under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. The certification establishes market access and procurement eligibility while reflecting demonstrated testing, audits, and production consistency at an automated overseas manufacturing facility.

Maybelline names Kiara Advani as India brand ambassador and launches Serum Lipstick with hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils.
Maybelline New York appointed Kiara Advani as its India brand ambassador to promote a positioning of self-expression and inclusivity, and launched the Maybelline Serum Lipstick-a hyaluronic acid and oil blend formula offered in thirteen Satin and Matte shades designed to combine high-performance color with sustained hydration and plumping benefits.

Aster DM Healthcare: merger pending NCLT and shareholders' approval; Q3 revenues up 13% YoY, combined proforma 15%.
The merger between Aster DM Healthcare and Quality Care India Limited remains conditional on regulatory and compliance approvals, including an NCLT order and shareholders' approval, with a shareholders' meeting directed between February 27 and March 13, 2026. The company completed a preferential allotment (~3.6% stake) and listed the allotted shares; closing of the transaction depends on fulfilment of regulatory requirements, finalization of merged accounts and statutory audits, and is expected to complete by Q1 FY27.