National News

India will invest Rs 34,300 crore ($4 billion) over the next six years under the national critical mineral mission to ensure a sustainable supply chain of essential minerals for cleaner energy and high-tech advancements. The plan includes increasing domestic production, acquiring stakes in overseas mines, and developing processing facilities. Public and private sectors, including Kabil, will play key roles, addressing India's dependence on imports, especially from China, for critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says PM Surya Ghar scheme, on the whole, targets one crore household installations across India and that this target is likely to be met ‘within the next two or three years’

Bench directs State officials in the six metros to file affidavits by February 13 on when and how manual scavenging and sewer cleaning ceased in their cities

The total number of cases now mounted to 127; about 20 patients are on ventilator, according to data of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme by Public Health Department

Decision taken ‘to mitigate the situation and prevent further casualties’, says govt. Official says ‘comprehensive arrangements’ put in place to ensure comfort and safety of the affected families

A 39-year-old assistant teacher in Porbandar district has been arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl multiple times at a primary school. The incidents occurred on January 22 and 23. The teacher took advantage of the premises being empty. The police are also investigating if there are more victims.

Arvind Kejriwal defended his allegations against the BJP government regarding the contamination of Yamuna water, stating that his claims were made to address a public health crisis. Emphasizing the dangerous levels of toxicity in water from Haryana, he also asserted highlighting government lapses should not be criminalized. Meanwhile, Haryana CM denied the accusations by taking a sip from the river earlier in the day.

Bench directs Centre to form inter-ministerial expert committee to consider framing a law to safeguard rights of domestic workers; panel asked to give a report to Centre in six months

While members of walkers’ association staged protests, submitted representations to authorities requesting that they be allowed to use the premises, the management maintains that the activities of the association are disturbing students

It is the first such meeting between political leaders from divergent ideologies with Mr. Ruhullah, a Shia cleric, and Mr. Farooq, a patron of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema, coming together to discuss issues affecting Kashmir and Muslims

HC says it cannot entertain any plea in connection with Anna University sexual assault FIR leak case since the matter has now been taken to the top court