Times of India

India's Defence Acquisition Council has approved the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, a deal estimated at Rs 3.25 lakh crore. This significant procurement, alongside other defence equipment, aims to bolster the Indian Air Force's capabilities amidst rising threat perceptions. The majority of these multi-role fighters will be manufactured in India, enhancing indigenous defence production.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have strongly objected to the government's notification mandating the recitation of all six verses of 'Vande Mataram'. They deem the order unconstitutional and a violation of religious freedom, threatening legal challenges. Left parties and Trinamool Congress also oppose the move, citing constitutional provisions and the secular character of the nation.

Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star player, is fully focused on recovering from his brutal injuries, after recording a pretty tough time on the field in the last season. As he focuses on his recovery, Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, just pulled off a million dollar move, away from the world of NFL, which has now broken records.

Myles Garrett and Olympian Chloe Kim have quickly turned into fan favorites as they flaunt their love and commitment towards one another. As Chloe Kim chases another win at the 2026 Winter Olympics, she shared a heartfelt moment she shared with her boyfriend, the Cleveland Browns' star player, Myles Garrett. This post also comes at a time when Chloe Kim has admitted her fears of being in a public relationship.

Piyush Goyal refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims on the India-US trade deal, labeling them "baseless" and asserting that farmers' interests are fully protected. Rahul had alleged the agreement "betrays our food security and farmers," a charge ministers Goyal and Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly denied, emphasising the deal's benefits for agricultural exports and farmer prosperity.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce might have a lot to deal with in their lives but the star player's ex girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, has continued to brutally shade the billionaire pop star. Kayla Nicole's recent comments have sparked chaos and now the popular social media influencer has dropped a cryptic message about her mental state as many continue to shame her.

Jammu and Kashmir government informed the assembly it has no plans for a separate women's commission, citing the National Commission for Women's dedicated "J&K and Ladakh Cell." This decision drew criticism from Sajad Lone, who questioned the delay in reconstituting the commission, a move approved in 2022. Over 5,000 cases were pending when the previous commission was dissolved.

Jammu & Kashmir's transport minister has refuted claims of irregularities in the procurement of 133 luxury vehicles for FY 24-25. He stated purchases by departments and PSUs adhered strictly to norms, denying any extra burden on public funds. While admitting some norm relaxations for challenging terrains and operational needs, the minister maintained no deviations occurred.

Ladakh's major political groups, LAB and KDA, were informed by the Centre that neither Sixth Schedule status nor statehood will be granted. Instead, a 'territorial council' model was proposed, which leaders dismissed as a 'farce.' Disagreements arose over the Sixth Schedule's effectiveness and Ladakh's financial viability for statehood.

Supermodel and Bad Bunny's ex girlfriend, Kendall Jenner, was spotted at Super Bowl LX as the popular Grammy winner took the stage for his controversial record breaking performance at the halftime show. Soon after the show, rumors of the two rekindling their romance have sparked chaos. Amid this, a clip of two leaving in his luxurious car has sparked panic as many believe the two have got back together.

Historian S Irfan Habib had a bucket of water thrown at him by an unidentified individual during an event at Delhi University's Arts Faculty. The incident occurred while Habib was addressing students at the People's Literature Festival, organized by AISA. AISA alleged ABVP involvement, which ABVP denied, calling the accusations baseless.

India secured a dominant 93-run victory over Namibia in the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya scored aggressive half-centuries, propelling India to 209/9. Namibia was bowled out for 116. Pandya expressed satisfaction with his form and preparation. India's next match is against Pakistan.

India secured a dominant 93-run victory over Namibia in the T20 World Cup. This marks India's second consecutive win. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya starred with half-centuries, propelling India to 209. Namibia was bowled out for 116. India's next match is against Pakistan.

The Karnataka cabinet approved the return of cricket to Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, clearing RCB to host IPL matches again after a ban following the 2025 stampede that killed 11 people. The decision follows safety upgrades and committee recommendations, with detailed conditions to be issued soon. Short-term safety measures must be completed by March 15 ahead of the IPL season starting March 26.

The DDCA has refuted claims of unhygienic practices concerning soft drinks at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Responding to a viral video, the association stated the vendor's action was part of waste segregation and disposal procedures by an authorized concessionaire, adhering to environmental and operational guidelines. Strict hygiene protocols are reportedly maintained at the venue.

The upcoming H-1B season for FY 2027 presents unprecedented uncertainty for Indian professionals and US employers. A new wage-weighted selection system, a proposed $100,000 entry fee, and severe consular backlogs in India are forcing companies to rethink hiring strategies, potentially shifting focus to candidates already in the US.

China is intensifying its focus on rare earth metals, with Premier Li Qiang visiting a major production base to underscore its strategic importance. This comes as the US builds an international coalition to secure critical mineral supply chains, launching a $12 billion "Project Vault" to reduce reliance on China's dominant position.

US Congress is challenging President Trump's trade tariff powers, with a House vote against Canada tariffs and an impending Supreme Court ruling on emergency trade authority. This uncertainty, coupled with Trump's unpredictable demands, raises serious doubts about the stability of the new US-India trade framework, suggesting even signed deals might be temporary.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has clarified that the investigation into the June 2025 Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad is ongoing, refuting reports of conclusions that balmed the pilot for the incident. The AAIB emphasized that investigations are technical and evidence-based, with the final report to be published upon completion, dismissing speculative foreign media claims.