Accusing Muslim transgenders of carrying out a ‘kinnar jihad’ (transgender jihad) and their links with terror funding in Pakistan and Bangladesh, several groups of Hindu transgenders across India have decided to constitute their own Peeth and anoint the country’s very first Kinnar Shankaracharya at a grand ceremony scheduled to be held at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of Mahashivratri on 15 February.

Led by Rishi Ajay Das and transgender leader Kajal Thakur, the event also aims to appoint 10 transgender Mahamandaleshwars under the Shankaracharya across India, and conduct the ‘ghar waapsi’ (homecoming) of more than 200 Hindu transgenders, who were allegedly converted to Islam forcefully.

Das is the founder of the country’s first and only ‘Kinnar Akhada’. Thakur is a transgender leader from Bhopal.

Both have alleged that Muslim transgenders have been heading a ‘kinnar jihad’ for a long time, and they have forced many Hindu transgenders to convert to Islam. Thakur has also alleged that such Muslim transgenders have links with terror funding in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The Hindu transgenders have decided that their first Peeth would be based at Pushkar in Rajasthan, and it would be the seat of their own Shankaracharya. Pushkar has been chosen, as it is the only place in India to have a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, considered in Hinduism as the creator of the universe, time, and all life forms.

Das and Thakur informed some media persons on Wednesday that the Kinnar Shankaracharya would be anointed through popular choice by religious and spiritual transgender leaders, along with several Sanatani Hindu kinnars from across the country. They said the move is aimed at protecting the Sanatan Dharma and its followers in the transgender community.

Meanwhile, Hindu religious leaders like Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of the Jyotishpeeth, and Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, have criticized the move of transgenders to anoint a kinnar Shankaracharya. The Hindu religious leaders have argued that Adi Shankaracharya had established only four Hindu Peeths, and so there can be legally only four Shankaracharyas in the Sanatan Dharma.

On Tuesday, a large group of Hindu transgenders had staged a protest at the Collector’s Office in Bhopal, alleging that Muslim transgender leader Haji Suraiya Naik was involved in ‘kinnar jihad’ and had forcibly converted many Hindu transgenders to Islam. The protesters also claimed that Haji Suraiya and her group were involved in terror funding to Pakistan and Bangladesh. They also alleged that many Bangladeshi ‘fake transgenders’ are also active in India.

The Hindu transgenders had submitted a memorandum carrying their complaints and demands to Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Prakash Nayak. The administrative authorities took the memorandum and assured to carry out an inquiry into the matter.

Kanpur police on Thursday arrested 26-year-old Shivam Mishra, son of tobacco baron KK Mishra, in connection with the Lamborghini crash that left at least three people injured.

“Shivam Mishra has been arrested, and he will now be presented in court. We had received information that he has come to Kanpur, and our teams acted promptly and caught him,” Kanpur DCP Atul Srivastava said.

However, before his arrest, the influential Mishra family tried to game the system and made multiple attempts to deflect the probe – efforts that ultimately failed. Below is how the case unfolded – from accident to alleged attempts to mislead the investigation and the arrest.

The accident

On Sunday afternoon, the VVIP son of KK Mishra was behind the wheel of his luxury Lamborghini when he hit vehicles and rammed into pedestrians on VIP Road near Rev-3 Mall in the Gwaltoli area of Kanpur.

The car first hit an auto-rickshaw before ramming into a motorcycle and hitting several people. Videos of the accident showed Shivam Mishra’s bouncers pulling him out of the driver’s seat of the car.

Mishra family’s gameplan to save son

After the accident, Shivam Mishra fled the scene with the help of his security team. Initially, the Mishra family claimed that Shivam fell ill while driving the car, which led to the crash.

Shortly after that, police registered an FIR against an unidentified driver. However, as the public outrage grew and videos of Mishra being pulled out of the car went viral on social media, the FIR was updated and Shivam Mishra’s name was included.

Subsequently, Mishra’s lawyer Mrityunjay Kumar claimed that it was his client’s driver who was driving the car at the time of the accident. “Shivam was not driving; his driver, Mohan, was. This is an accident case. When he was not driving, then there can be no case against him,” Kumar said.

The police, however, rejected his claim, stating that the initial investigation had revealed that Shivam was behind the wheel.

Driver files ‘surrender application’ in court

A 45-year-old man claiming to be the driver of Shivam Mishra filed a surrender application before a Kanpur court. Identified as Mohan M, the man submitted that it was him who was driving the car when it crashed.

This plan of the Mishra family failed as the Kanpur court rejected his surrender application. The court noted that the police had stated that the probe didn’t find Mohan behind the wheel.

A Kanpur court has rejected a surrender application filed by a 45-year-old man who claimed he was driving the Lamborghini that allegedly rammed into several vehicles and injured a person on Sunday evening.

Shivam granted bail

Shivam Mishra was finally arrested on Thursday, four days after the incident. He was produced before a local court, which granted him bail. According to Mishra’s lawyer Naresh Chandra Tripathi, the Court refused the remand and granted him bail, an undertaking of Rs 20,000 and a personal bond of Rs 20,000.

Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to implement the Excise Export Policy, promoting the export of ethanol, investments in potable liquor manufacturing, and its presence in the International market.

UP is the first state in the country to introduce a separate excise export policy for three financial years.

According to the excise export policy, which was approved by the state cabinet, it is being introduced for the first time to fulfil the following objectives:

– Increase production of ethanol and other related products for export based on local agriculture-related grains and fruits to industries.

– To encourage industrial investment for potable liquor exports and to expand ancillary sectors such as distilleries, packaging, logistics, and export services, thereby generating significant direct and indirect employment and enriching the State’s economy.

– To strengthen the position of Uttar Pradesh in the international markets by increasing the volume of export of potable liquor.

-To try to establish the important role of Uttar Pradesh in increasing the foreign exchange reserves of India.

Officials said here on Thursday that in order to promote exports, the rates of bottling charges, export pass fees, franchise fees and special fees have been reduced to the minimum level for exports equivalent to 25 per cent of the beverage capacity prescribed under the Excise Export Policy.

Besides, the provisions for brand registration and label approval for liquor brands meant for export have been relaxed and the fee rates have been reduced to the minimum level.

The policy says that the export duty on export of molasses based ENA to other states within the country has been reduced to Rs. 0.50/- per bulk litre.

Lastly, provisions have been made for distilleries to manufacture heritage wines for export, to allow tasting taverns and retail sales.

After a slight dip during two previous years, Saffron production has rebounded in Jammu and Kashmir with its production touching 19.58 Metric Tonnes in 2024-25. This was stated by the state agriculture minister in a written reply in the Assembly to a question tabled by Hasnain Masoodi (NC).

Jammu and Kashmir’s famed saffron sector has shown a mixed but largely positive trend in recent years, with production witnessing a sharp rebound in 2023-24 and exports climbing significantly, even as the total area under cultivation remains stable at 3,715 hectares.

According to official figures placed in the Assembly, saffron production increased from 14.94 metric tonnes (MT) in 2022-23 to a remarkable 23.53 MT in 2023-24 — marking one of the highest outputs in recent years. However, production moderated to 19.58 MT in 2024-25.

The average productivity (traditional and rejuvenated areas combined) also rose substantially, reaching 6.33 kg per hectare in 2023-24, compared to 4.02 kg/ha in 2022-23. In 2024-25, productivity stood at 5.27 kg/ha, reflecting sustained improvement over earlier years.

The total area under saffron cultivation has remained constant at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11, after earlier declines were halted under the National Mission on Saffron. Of this, around 2,598 hectares fall under rejuvenated areas, while approximately 1,116 hectares continue under traditional cultivation.

The minister said the Centre-backed National Saffron Mission effectively arrested the shrinking of saffron fields, which had earlier reduced sharply due to declining productivity and climatic challenges.

Rejuvenated saffron fields have demonstrated higher productivity levels. In 2023-24, rejuvenated areas recorded productivity of 6.96 kg/ha, significantly boosting overall output. Even in 2024-25, productivity in rejuvenated areas remained strong at 5.6 kg/ha.

The export story has been equally encouraging. Saffron exports rose to 20.47 MT in 2023-24, compared to 13.45 MT in 2022-23 and 13.38 MT in 2021-22. Even in 2024-25, exports remained robust at 17.82 MT, signalling sustained global demand for Kashmir’s GI-tagged saffron.

In value terms, saffron exports touched Rs.491.31 crore in 2023-24 and remained high at Rs.486.43 crore in 2024-25. The total value of saffron production crossed Rs.564.72 crore in 2023-24 before settling at Rs.534.53 crore in 2024-25.

Officials attributed the gains to improved post-harvest processing at the Indian Institute of Kashmir Saffron and Technology Centre (IIKSTC), better stigma recovery, scientific drying methods, and transparent e-auction systems that enhanced price realization for farmers.

While the Mission initiated 124 community bore-wells to strengthen sprinkler irrigation, only 85 have been handed over so far. A government committee found that 77 bore-wells were non-functional for a long period, affecting irrigation coverage. About 2,548 hectares in the Kashmir division have been rejuvenated, leaving over 1,100 hectares yet to be fully addressed.

Despite these bottlenecks, the government maintains that saffron productivity has improved from 2.50 kg/ha in 2009-10 to significantly higher levels in recent years, indicating structural recovery in the sector.

Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav has once again slammed the Narendra Modi government over the Indo-US trade deal.

In a fresh post on his social media account on Thursday, the SP president wrote: “This ‘deal’ is a ‘branch’ that is being cut by the one sitting on it. This deal is against not only agriculture and labour but also all kinds of production, trade, and employment in our country. This is the invisible chain that the selfish BJP members with the mentality of middlemen, drowned in greed for money, cannot see.”

Those who previously sent our people away in chains have now forced the BJP government into submission by casting a web of deals, he added.

“Where have those BJP allies gone who used to chant the slogan of Swadeshi? Instead of self-reliance, BJP leaders should adopt the slogan of ‘dependence on others’,”he suggested.

CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar on Thursday tore into the Union government over the treatment meted out to his home state of Kerala, while taking part in the debate on Union Budget 2026-27 in the Upper House.

Sandosh Kumar accused the BJP government of being corporate-friendly, while ignoring the concerns of the common man.

“As far as the common man is concerned, there is nothing to celebrate in this Budget. Adani had total assets worth Rs 54,000 crores in 2014. Now, after a decade, the assets are at Rs 9.5 lakh crores. That shows how corporate-friendly this Budget is,” the MP said.

The Communist Party of India leader said Kerala has been brutally neglected by the Union Finance Minister in the Budget.

“We had demanded 29 items; we had submitted a comprehensive package, a detailed memorandum consisting of reasonable demands, but nothing was approved,” he claimed.

“Are we not part of India?” the MP asked in the Upper House.

| CPI MP #PSandoshKumar, during his Rajya Sabha speech on the Union Budget, accused the Centre of deliberately undermining Kerala while promoting corporate interests. He claims there is political bias in disaster relief, infrastructure clearance, and state fiscal support.… pic.twitter.com/SFkxVPjU6t

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 12, 2026

Sandosh Kumar pointed out that Union minister JP Nadda had once promised an AIIMS for Kerala, but even after 10 Budgets, there is no AIIMS in the southern state.

The MP said the state of Kerala does not want any generosity or extra money from the Union government.

“We don’t want any extra money… when you collect 100 rupees from Kerala, at least give back 20 rupees,” he said.

“How many times should we raise this issue? Unfortunately, we have a heartless government,” the CPI MP said, pointing out that the Centre has been ignoring Kerala’s demands.

India is a union of states, not a union of colonies, he further sought to remind the treasury benches.

He reiterated that Kerala is very much part of India and its genuine demands should be met.

The Kerala MP concluded by saying that the Budget 2026-27 exposes the BJP’s class bias and politics of corporate appeasement, vindictive discrimination and federal injustice.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued instructions to deal strictly with those attempting to disrupt peace and order during various festivals, including Holi, Mahashivratri, and Ramzan.

During a detailed review of the state’s law and order situation with senior government officials on Wednesday night, the Chief Minister stated that Holi will be celebrated from March 2 to 4. There should be an atmosphere of joy and happiness during the Holi festival throughout the state, including the Braj region. ”Ensure that unruly elements do not infiltrate the processions under any circumstances. Strict action should be taken against those who disrupt the celebrations, incite frenzy, and create unrest,” he said.

Administrative and police officers from all divisions, police zones, ranges, and districts participated in the meeting via videoconferencing. The Chief Minister said that, learning from incidents that occurred during festivals in past years, vigilance, monitoring, and management should be further strengthened in accordance with local needs.

The CM stated that Holika Dahan should be performed only at traditional sites, and under no circumstances should it be performed in the middle of the road. Social media platforms should also be continuously monitored.

In view of the upcoming Mahashivratri, Holi, Ramzan, Secondary Education Board examinations, census, and other important events, the Chief Minister directed that all necessary arrangements be made in a timely manner, keeping peace, security, and public order as the highest priority in the state.

Instructing to ensure the safety of Kanwar pilgrims going out to offer water on the occasion of Mahashivratri, the Chief Minister said that the police and administration should remain fully alert to prevent any accidents. The Director General of Police informed the Chief Minister that the necessary guidelines have been issued to the police force in this regard.

The Chief Minister enquired from the District Magistrates of Varanasi, Meerut, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Barabanki about the preparations for darshan and puja at major Shiva temples on Mahashivratri. He stated that a large number of devotees will arrive at major Shiva temples on February 14 and 15. NDRF and SDRF teams should be operational 24×7 to ensure the convenience of devotees, smooth darshan, traffic, parking, women’s safety, and emergency response. Police personnel deployed in temple premises should treat devotees with respect and ensure the deployment of adequate female personnel.

The CM directed that the major factors causing traffic jams be identified and permanent solutions be found. Long-term, practical measures should be implemented instead of temporary measures to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public.

Regarding the use of loudspeakers at religious places, instructions were given that their sound should not be transmitted outside the premises under any circumstances. Such activities have previously caused law and order challenges. Therefore, activities violating the rules should be stopped immediately. There will be a complete ban on the use of DJs, sound systems, or loud sound equipment after 10 pm at weddings and other social gatherings. Strict action should be taken in case of violations. The Chief Minister said that an increase in begging activities around religious places has been noticed. This should be effectively stopped, and a plan should be made for the appropriate rehabilitation of the individuals involved.

The Chief Minister directed concrete steps to improve the response time and efficiency of the 108 and 102 ambulance services. Any laxity in emergency services will not be tolerated. Directing complete control over the manufacture, storage, and sale of illegal, poisonous, and spurious liquor, the Chief Minister said that all concerned departments should remain constantly alert in this regard. Prompt and strict action should be taken as soon as any such activity is reported. Special vigilance should be exercised against unruly elements performing stunts on roads and in public places.

The Chief Minister said that the Board of Secondary Education’s Class 10 and 12 examinations will begin on February 18. Examinations should be conducted without cheating, and strict action should be taken against those who compromise the integrity of the examinations. The month of Ramadan will also begin during this period, and Eid will likely be celebrated on March 21. Peace and harmony should be maintained by communicating with religious leaders. No new traditions should be started under any circumstances.

The Chief Minister stated that Vasantik Navratri will begin on March 19, followed by the festival of Ram Navami. Preparations for all these events should be completed on time. Furthermore, the Chief Minister informed that the first phase of the census is commencing in the coming days, for which all District Magistrates should ensure necessary preparations. The Chief Minister said that utmost vigilance must be maintained regarding security arrangements. Every department should discharge its responsibilities with complete honesty and accountability.

Odisha on Thursday mobilized Rs 67,000 crore in investment commitments, covering approximately 6.8 GW of capacity at the third edition of Odisha Renewable Energy Investor Conclave 2026 in Bhubaneswar, strengthening its clean energy leadership.

Organised by the Energy Department, Government of Odisha, along with GRIDCO Limited, the Conclave brought together policymakers, investors, developers, financial institutions, technology providers, and industry leaders to accelerate renewable energy investments in the state. The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) served as the Knowledge Partner.

About Rs 67,000 crore investments were mobilised along with inauguration of the state’s first wind resource assessment and the launch of the city accelerator programme for 6 cities of Odisha by the Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo stated Odisha is committed to being the frontrunner in the renewable energy sector of our country.

India has a bold 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030, and Odisha is contributing meaningfully to it. Odisha’s coastline provides the state a distinct advantage to develop wind energy, alongside solar and small hydro. On the regulatory front, we offer robust policies and a favourable approval process. This 2-day RE Investor Conclave can only support Odisha’s renewable growth, but will also be important for the country, he added.

Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department said that, “Our objective is not merely capacity addition but system integration. By advancing pumped storage and battery systems alongside renewables, we are ensuring grid stability and long-term energy security”.

“Renewable energy scale-up in Odisha is anchored in a policy stack, supported by dedicated institutions at both state and district levels. We are placing a clear focus on industry-led renewable growth. In this year’s RE Investor Conclave, we have mobilized Rs. 67,000 crore investment against 6.8 GW capacities through investor commitments and MoUs signed at the Conclave,” he said.

During the Conclave, Odisha presented a robust and diversified project pipeline across generation and storage technologies. This included over 5,000 MW of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) projects; 18,000 MW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) across 36 identified sites; and 500 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), supported by Viability Gap Funding.

Emerging opportunities in wind energy, distributed renewables, small hydro, agrivoltaics, and waste-to-energy were also highlighted.

Five MoUs were signed between GRIDCO (on behalf of the Energy Department, Government of Odisha) and investors and knowledge partners.

The Conclave witnessed strong participation from the private sector, with developers and investors expressing keen interest in Odisha’s clean energy pipeline.

The Conclave also hosted technology-specific sessions on small hydropower, battery storage, and biomass energy, alongside high-level Business-to-Government (B2G) interactions that fostered collaboration among developers, OEMs, financiers, utilities, and industrial off takers.

Just weeks before it hits the big screen, Yash-starrer much-awaited film ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ has found itself in the middle of a storm.

Here’s what’s happening.

Christian group raises objection over religious imagery

The National Christian Federation has officially written to government and film authorities, asking them to step in before the film’s release. The group claims that certain scenes in ‘Toxic’ show religious imagery in a way that hurts Christian sentiments.

Their biggest concern? The portrayal of Saint Michael, one of the most important archangels in Christianity.

According to the federation, some visuals allegedly depict Saint Michael in an “offensive” manner. The complaint further states that explicit scenes were filmed in front of imagery linked to the saint. The organisation says this has deeply upset members of the Christian community.

Pradeep Kumar, president of the federation, has urged authorities to ensure that the disputed scenes are removed before the film reaches theatres.

What are the demands?

The federation is not stopping at just raising objections.

In its letter, the organisation has demanded:

• Removal of the scenes in question
• Takedown of promotional material and online videos that contain the disputed visuals
• A public apology from the filmmakers

The group has also warned of possible legal action if its concerns are ignored. As of now, it is waiting for a response from both the filmmakers and the concerned authorities.

Not the first controversy

This isn’t the first time ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ has faced backlash.

In recent weeks, several women’s organisations approached the Karnataka State Women’s Commission over portions of the film’s teaser. They alleged that some visuals appeared sexually suggestive and could negatively influence social attitudes, particularly among women and children.

Also Read: Yash-starrer ‘Toxic’ in legal trouble: FIR for illegal tree cutting, political complaints over teaser

These groups requested that the scenes be removed and called for regulatory scrutiny. They argued that certain imagery could send problematic messages to viewers.

So far, no final decision has been publicly announced regarding these complaints.

The Rajasthan assembly on Thursday witnessed stormy scenes, slogan shouting and walkout as the opposition Congress members protested against dissatisfactory reply from Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar about the Right to Health Act.

The issue figured in the Question Hour on a starred question raised by Harimohan Sharma (Congress), who wanted to know the progress on the process of framing the rules of the Act and related aspects. The Act was legislated and promulgated at the fag end of the term of the previous Congress government in October 2023. Its rules could not be framed due to the imposition of the model code of conduct (MCC) ahead of the assembly elections.

This turned out to be a bone of contention now between the Treasury and the Opposition benches, as the latter wanted to know the reason behind the delay in framing the rules and a clear-cut reply on the fate of the law.

In reply, Minister Khimsar parried straight away and instead made a political comment, “The then government enacted the law just ahead of the polls to draw political mileage”.

Annoyed with the reply, already protesting, Congress members proceeded into the well, raising slogans.

Meanwhile, HM Khimsar added to say, “Then the Aayushman Bharat – Mukhyamantri Aayushman Aarogya Yojna (MAA-Yojna) is there to cater to all needs of medical care to suffering patients, then what is the need for the referred law?”

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tika Ram Jully put categorical questions about why rules could not be framed, whether the government wants this law (or not).

The Minister’s interrogative one-liner was “Why did Congress enact the government at the eleventh hour just ahead of the imposition of the model code of conduct?”

This, obviously, did not resolve the situation, and pandemonium in the House continued so intensely that Speaker Vasudev Devnani was forced to warn, “This is not good, I shall not allow this conduct, stop it, or I shall adjourn the House for the whole day. Neither this worked nor did the Speaker wait for a response from the protesters; he called for the next question on the list.

Unhappy over the inconclusive end to the arguments, the Congress members staged a walkout.

Later, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra condemned the Health Minister for ‘negating the law itself,” saying there is no need for this Act.

In his post on the social media handle ‘X’, Gehlot wrote that we, under our previous regime, brought a number of good medical schemes like Universal Health Care, Chiranjivi Yojna, and Nirogi Rajasthan Yojna. Even then, there was a dire need for the Right to Health Act, so that patients and families would not suffer for want of money for medical treatment. He alleged that the BJP government is surrendering before the medical lobby and denying the need for the Act.

Rajasthan is the first state in the country to have legislated this law for more than two years.

The 24-hour nationwide general strike called by trade unions on Thursday against the central government’s policies brought life to a standstill in Kerala, with public transport largely crippled and shops and markets remaining closed.

The strike, supported by various trade unions to protest against the central government’s labour codes, halted transportation, closed businesses, and heavily impacted government offices. The state-run KSRTC and private buses remained off the roads, causing major inconvenience to commuters. Taxi and auto-rickshaw services were largely unavailable.

Markets and shops remained shut in most parts of the state. Educational institutions remained closed, while the government offices saw limited footfall of employees.

Essential services, including hospitals, pharmacies, milk distribution, and Kochi Metro services, remained operational to offer limited relief to the public.

The 24-hour strike was called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, including CITU, INTUC, and AITUC, to protest the Central Government’s new labour codes and farm policies

Meanwhile, Opposition leader V D Satheesan has called for a public debate on whether nationwide strikes should be observed as hartals or complete shutdowns in the state.

Satheesan asked whether a strike similar to a hartal and a bandh is being held in any other state in India other than Kerala, saying that it is a national strike.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode on Thursday, Satheesan said, “My question is: Is it appropriate in this age to turn a nationwide strike into a hartal or a bandh? I am not saying whether it is right or wrong, but I am placing it for a public discussion.”

He emphasised that people in other states are largely unaware of nationwide strikes, while in Kerala, strikes often halt normal life.

“There should be a public discussion, as only in Kerala does a strike become a hartal or bandh that brings normal life to a standstill. Whether this practice should continue must be discussed by the public,” he said.

Actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively were unable to reach a settlement in Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit after a full day of mediation in a New York federal court. According to Variety, the court-supervised talks ended without any resolution, increasing the chances of the case going to trial.

Mediation ends without agreement

The mediation took place on Wednesday under the supervision of Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, a routine step in federal cases before trial. Despite several hours of discussion, both sides walked away without an agreement.

Silent court appearance

The It Ends With Us co-stars arrived at the courthouse on Friday morning but remained in separate courtrooms throughout the day. They exited the building without addressing the media, avoiding questions from reporters gathered outside.

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, later confirmed that no settlement had been reached. While he did not completely rule out future discussions, he said the case is now expected to go forward.

“I do think the case will go to trial. We’re looking forward to it,” Freedman told Variety.

Allegations at the centre of the case

Blake Lively has accused Baldoni of harassing her during the filming of It Ends With Us. She has also alleged that after raising concerns, Baldoni worked with publicists to launch a smear campaign against her.

It was also mentioned, that these actions created a distressed work environment which caused personal and professional difficulties.

Baldoni’s defence and legal pushback

Baldoni has denied the allegations. His legal team has filed motions asking the court to dismiss or narrow the case, arguing that the claims do not meet the legal standard for harassment.

According to court filings cited by Variety, Baldoni’s lawyers have described the allegations as minor workplace disagreements rather than serious misconduct.

Why the case may still go to trial

Lively’s legal team has pushed back strongly, stating that her complaints are not isolated. They claim that other actors on set raised similar concerns, and argue that the matter deserves to be heard by a jury.

Judge Lewis Liman, who is overseeing the case, is currently reviewing the motions that could either dismiss the lawsuit or allow it to proceed in full.

What happens next

If the judge allows the case to move forward, the trial is scheduled for May 18. With mediation not happening and neither party backing down, the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni appears far from over.

Also Read: Taylor Swift’s private texts slam Justin Baldoni as legal feud with Blake Lively explodes

Picture this: You finally board your flight, buckle up, close your eyes… now suddenly someone in row 18 starts blasting a dance track straight from their phone speaker. No earphones. No shame. Just full volume at 30,000 feet. Well, the government has heard your silent suffering. And now, it has something to say about such music on flights.

In a fresh statement in Parliament, the Union government made it clear that if you play music loudly inside an aircraft without earphones and it counts as unruly behaviour, you could face action under aviation rules.

Let’s break it down.

Also Read: Udit Narayan accused of deceit and abuse: Ex-wife Ranjana claims forced uterus removal and broken promises

Loud music on flights? It could be ‘unruly behaviour’

On Thursday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol responded to a question in the Lok Sabha by Namakkal MP Matheshwaran. The big takeaway? Playing music loudly on a plane using your mobile phone or any electronic device without earphones can invite penal action if it disturbs order onboard.

The minister pointed out that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) already has rules in place to deal with unruly passengers.

So no, this isn’t a brand-new law. But yes, your playlist could get you in trouble if it disrupts the peace.

What do the rules actually say?

The DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) under the Aircraft Rules of 1937. These rules cover any unlawful or disruptive behaviour inside an aircraft.

Here’s what the key rules mean:

• Rule 22 allows refusal of carriage and even removal of passengers from the aircraft.
• Rule 23 gives power to the pilot-in-command to restrain anyone acting in a way that affects safety or good order.
• Rule 29 provides penalties if someone violates the Aircraft Rules.

In simple words? If your behaviour including blasting music affects safety or disturbs others, the crew has authority to act.

But what about music played by airlines?

Before you panic and delete your playlist, here’s some clarity.

The minister explained that airlines which have in-flight entertainment systems usually play soft instrumental music during boarding and while passengers are getting off the plane. This is a normal operational practice.

During the flight, passengers may also get access to pre-loaded entertainment content provided by the airline.

So yes, music is allowed. Just not your personal speaker concert.

And what about vlogging inside planes?

The discussion didn’t stop at music. A related question about video blogging inside aircraft also came up.

The minister referred to Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules, which restricts photography at DGCA-licensed aerodromes and from aircraft in flight, unless prior written permission is taken.

So if you’re planning dramatic runway shots or cockpit-style content, you may need official approval first.

No new special law, just existing rules

One important detail: the government has not proposed any new penal provision specifically for passengers who play music without earphones.

Instead, such behaviour would be handled under the existing framework for unruly passengers but only if it crosses the line into disruptive conduct.

Air travel can already be stressful. Delays, turbulence, crying babies; we’ve all been there. The government’s message is simple: don’t add loud mobile music to the list.

Want to enjoy your songs mid-air? Plug in your earphones.

The Orissa High Court has directed the State Government to table the Justice Raghubir Dash Commission inquiry report on the missing key episode of Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, on the floor of the Assembly in the ensuing session.

Priceless gold jewellery, gems, pearls and rare diamonds, apart from silver and other decorative items of the temple’s three presiding deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra—are reported to have been treasured in the Ratna Bhandar. All these treasures have poured in from devotees from various parts of the country as tokens of reverence to Lord Jagannath.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, adjudicating a public interest litigation (PIL), also asked the government to complete the exercise of tallying the latest inventory report of the Ratna Bhandar with the inventory report compiled way back in 1978 within three months.

The Division Bench emphasised that all the jewellery and valuables of Lord Shri Jagannath, which were found at the time of the inventory conducted in the year 1978, tally with the inventory done by the present committee.

Amid raging public anger over the mysterious disappearance of treasure keys, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the non-availability of keys to the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, on June 5, 2018.

The Justice Raghubir Dash Commission was constituted for an inquiry into the missing/non-availability of the keys of the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple, and the report was submitted to the State Government. The inquiry report was examined, and in terms of the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, a conscious decision was taken by the State Government to place the same before the Cabinet to be constituted after the results of the Odisha Legislative Assembly Election held in June 2024.

”The Inquiry Committee submitted the report on the missing/misplacement of the keys of those Ratna Bhandars, which, in terms of the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, is required to be placed on the floor of the House of the Assembly. There cannot be any dormant exercise in this regard, and it is an ordained duty of the State to take prompt action.

”We hasten to add that no complacency can be shown by the State Government in relation to the process of the inventory and the report submitted by the Committee and we trust and hope that the State shall show alacrity in this regard,” the Division Bench stated in the order.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday unveil the name of the new government complex, Seva Teerth, which will house the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat. These key offices have been functioning from different locations in the Central Vista area until now. The consolidation brings the core of India’s executive decision-making under a single administrative roof for the first time.

He will also formally inaugurate Seva Teerth along with Kartavya Bhavan-1 and Kartavya Bhavan-2, and address a public programme at the site at around 6 pm, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

For years, several ministries operated out of older and scattered buildings across Central Vista. According to the PMO, this arrangement led to coordination challenges and rising maintenance costs. The new complexes form a key part of the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment project aimed at modernising India’s administrative infrastructure.

The new complexes have been built to bring core administrative functions into one integrated space. The nomenclature, ‘Seva’ and ‘Kartavya’, meaning service and duty, signals an attempt to frame governance in the language of responsibility and citizen orientation.

Kartavya Bhavan and ministerial integration

Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2 will house major ministries, including Information and Broadcasting, Health and Family Welfare, Corporate Affairs, Finance, Defence, Law and Justice, Education, Culture, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilisers, and Tribal Affairs.

The PMO said the buildings feature structured public interface areas, digitally integrated offices, and centralised reception facilities to improve workflow and inter-ministerial coordination.

Both complexes meet 4-Star GRIHA standards and include water conservation measures, renewable energy systems, and waste management solutions.

Security features such as surveillance networks, smart access control, and emergency response infrastructure have also been incorporated.

The drama around Vijay Mallya just got louder, and this time, the message from the Bombay High Court was crystal clear. If he wants relief from an Indian court, he must first step back onto Indian soil.

On Thursday, the High Court openly questioned why Mallya, who is staying in the United Kingdom and is a ‘fugitive’, expects the court to entertain his plea while avoiding Indian authorities.

“You have to come back. If you cannot come back, then we cannot hear this plea,” the bench said.

Also Read: ‘Not behind the wheel’: Five high-profile accident cases when VIPs tried to escape the law

What is Vijay Mallya challenging?

Mallya has filed a petition challenging the validity of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEO Act). He is also questioning the proceedings that declared him a fugitive economic offender under this law.

The FEO Act allows authorities to confiscate properties of individuals who avoid returning to India to face criminal charges involving significant financial fraud.

Mallya is currently in the UK, where India has been pursuing extradition proceedings against him.

December order ignored?

The bench, led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, reminded Mallya’s legal team that it had already passed an order on December 23.

In that earlier order, the Court had directed Mallya to file an affidavit clearly stating when he intends to return to India. The judges had also made it clear that they would not hear his challenge to the constitutional validity (vires) of the FEO Act unless he first submitted to the court’s jurisdiction.

However, when the matter was taken up this week, the Court noted that Mallya had not filed the required affidavit about his return.

“You are avoiding the process of the (Indian and UK) court, so you cannot take advantage of the present petition,” the bench observed.

Enforcement Directorate’s stand

Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta strongly opposed Mallya’s plea.

Mehta told the Court that Mallya had filed an affidavit claiming that banks were wrong to demand money from him. According to Mehta, Mallya was trying to shift the focus of the case into recovery proceedings.

He further argued that Mallya challenged the 2018 Act only after the court had already declared him a fugitive and at a time when India was nearing the end of extradition proceedings in London.

Mehta’s point was simple: Mallya is free to return to India and argue his case fully, whether he wants to say he is ready to pay, not ready to pay, or not liable at all. But he cannot reject the legal system and still seek fairness from it.

“He cannot ‘not’ trust the law of this country and invoke equity jurisdiction,” Mehta said in court.

The bench asked the Solicitor General to submit detailed timelines and records.

Defence tries to push back

Senior Advocate Amit Desai, representing Mallya, attempted to argue that given the nature of the statute, Mallya could have a hearing even without physically returning to India. He relied on a previous judgment to support this claim.

But the bench did not look convinced.

The judges reminded Desai that there is already a standing order requiring Mallya to clearly state when he plans to return. Since that direction has not been complied with, the Court said it may have to pass orders regarding non-compliance if the situation continues.

One more chance?

Despite the tough remarks, the Court stopped short of dismissing the petition outright.

“In fairness to you, we are not dismissing it; we are giving you another opportunity,” the bench told Mallya’s counsel.

The matter has now been adjourned and will be heard again next week.

For now, the ball is firmly in Vijay Mallya’s court. The High Court’s stand is clear; no return, no hearing.

At a time when cyber threats are growing in scale and sophistication, the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, has launched a seven-day bootcamp aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity talent base.

The programme, titled “Foundations of Secure Communications Using Cryptography”, began on Thursday at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and will run till 18 February. It is being conducted under the ISEA Project Phase-III of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, reflecting the Centre’s push to build skilled manpower in digital security.

The inaugural session was presided over by Prof Chiranjeev Kumar, Head of the Department of CSE, who underlined the urgency of preparing professionals capable of addressing emerging digital threats. With the cybersecurity landscape evolving rapidly, he noted that institutions must move beyond conventional teaching models and equip students with practical capabilities to safeguard digital infrastructure.

Prof Sachin Tripathi, under whose leadership the bootcamp is being organised, said the initiative aligns with MeitY’s broader vision under ISEA Phase-III to generate skilled human resources in cybersecurity while promoting awareness, research and capacity building. The response to the programme was significant, with 191 applications received, of which 63 participants were selected.

“Our emphasis is not confined to theory. The focus will be strongly on hands-on learning,” he said, adding that cryptography, data security, and network security form the core areas of the training.

The bootcamp began with an introductory lecture on the basics of cryptography, followed by a practical session introducing participants to hardware platforms. Over the next six days, sessions will cover RSA and its common attacks, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), hash functions, digital signatures, secure communication protocols, packet capturing, server logs, Security Operations Centre (SOC) rules, web application vulnerabilities and denial-of-service attacks.

Participants will also receive training in widely used security tools such as Wireshark, Burp Suite and Kali Linux. The programme will conclude with a Capture the Flag (CTF) contest designed to test practical skills in simulated attack and defence scenarios.

The emphasis on cryptography reflects its growing strategic importance. Encryption technologies such as RSA and AES are central to securing financial transactions, digital communications and government systems. In an era marked by data breaches, ransomware attacks and cyber espionage, secure communications have become a matter not just of technological competence but of national resilience.

By integrating classroom instruction with simulated real-world challenges, the institute aims to prepare students for advanced research as well as industry roles in secure communications. The competitive selection process also points to rising interest among young professionals in cybersecurity careers, a field that has seen expanding opportunities across government agencies, technology firms and start-ups.

The initiative places IIT (ISM) Dhanbad among institutions contributing to India’s broader digital security architecture. As the country advances deeper into digital governance and online service delivery, efforts to train skilled cyber professionals are likely to assume even greater importance.

The bootcamp seeks to lay strong foundations in cryptographic algorithms, secure system design and practical cybersecurity skills, reinforcing the role of academic institutions in supporting national cyber preparedness.