In a setback to Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), the Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain its plea challenging the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections.

In its writ petition, Jan Suraaj had alleged large-scale irregularities in last year’s elections in Bihar in which the NDA won, and sought fresh polls.

The Supreme Court, however, today rejected the submission and said it cannot issue an omnibus direction to set aside the entire Bihar Assembly election. It pointed out that such a direction cannot be issued at the instance of a political party which had lost the election.

The apex court bench led by CJI Surya Kant further asked the Kishor-led JSP to approach the Patna High Court with its grievances.

“We can’t issue a notice like this. There is a procedure. It is just a composite election petition. Because you lost the elections, you say set aside the entire election result. What is this view of a political party that has lost everything in the election, then you want to come here. Even that issue (on welfare policies), we won’t like to have a political party before us. It must be some public-spirited person. Because if we entertain this, if this part gets to power, they will do the same thing,” news agency ANI quoted the CJI as saying during the hearing.

In its petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, the JSP had argued that the Bihar election was won illegally by the BJP and JD(U)-led NDA by distributing Rs 15,600 crores in cash to voters.

The JSP was referring to the direct transfer of Rs 10,000 to women voters in the state even as the Model Code of Conduct was in force.

It contended that fresh beneficiaries were added to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana and payments were made while the Model Code was in force.

The plea stated that no new beneficiaries could be added and funds disbursed to them during the election period, in violation of Articles 14, 21, 112, 202, and 324 of the Constitution.

The petition has also raised questions over the deployment of around 1.8 lakh women beneficiaries associated with the self-help group JEEVIKA at polling booths during the two-phase polling, calling the move illegal and unfair.

Veteran Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju found himself at the centre of a serious police case after a hit-and-run incident near one of the busiest roads in Thiruvananthapuram.

According to police, the accident took place around 9.30 pm on Thursday night on the Vellayambalam-Vazhuthacaud road, right in front of the Trivandrum Club. A white car allegedly driven by Maniyanpilla Raju rammed into a motorcycle carrying two young men and then sped away without stopping.

Also Read: Thalapathy Vijay faces court blow: Madras HC dismisses plea against 1.5 crore income tax penalty on 2015-16 income

The riders, both just 20 years old, were thrown onto the road. They were later identified as Sooraj and Niveedith Krishna, residents of Thiruvananthapuram.

Young riders seriously injured

Both victims suffered serious injuries and were rushed to a private hospital. Police confirmed that one of the youths sustained a leg fracture, while the other is being treated for a spinal injury. Their condition is being closely monitored.

The incident triggered public anger especially after details emerged that the car did not stop to help the injured.

CCTV footage tells a chilling story

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: CCTV footage of the collision that occurred between actor Maniyanpilla Raju’s car and a bike on 5th February, injuring 2 people.

(Source: Police) https://t.co/a9cKXMQnko pic.twitter.com/xCZtHs5b2X

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2026

CCTV footage from the area played a key role in the investigation. The video reportedly shows the white car slowly moving forward when the bike approaches from the right side. The motorcycle crashes into the front of the car, the rider falls onto the road. And moments later, the car drives away without stopping.

Police said the footage helped establish the involvement of the vehicle.

Police action and arrest

Following a preliminary probe, police confirmed that the vehicle was driven by Maniyanpilla Raju. A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving and failing to attend to injured persons.

Raju remained reportedly unreachable for nearly ten hours after the incident. He appeared at the police station on Friday morning, after which he was arrested by the Museum Police and taken for a medical examination. The car involved has been seized, and further investigation is under way.

Raju’s version of events

Speaking to reporters, Raju admitted that he was driving the car but claimed the motorcycle hit his vehicle. He said he panicked after hearing the noise and seeing someone fall.

“I contacted a person and asked him to arrange an ambulance,” he said.

He also cited health issues for leaving the scene. Raju stated that he is a cancer patient and has recently been diagnosed with chikungunya. He added that his wife was alone at home at the time.

He further claimed that he informed the police at night about his inability to appear immediately and promised to present himself the next morning and surrender the vehicle.

It’s not a great Friday for Thalapathy Vijay. The superstar-turned-politician has hit a legal speed bump, with the Madras High Court shutting the door on his attempt to escape a hefty income tax penalty.

Here’s what went down.

Actor Vijay, now also the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), faced a setback when the Madras High Court dismissed his writ petition on Friday. He had challenged an Income Tax Department order that slapped him with a Rs 1.50 crore penalty.

The penalty links back to 2015-16, when the tax department says Vijay did not properly disclose additional income of Rs 15 crore. According to officials, this income came to light during income tax searches at his residence in September 2015.

Also Read: Jana Nayagan starring Thalapathy Vijay causes Rs 100 crore loss for Tamil Nadu box office during Pongal

Vijay took the matter to court in 2022, hoping to overturn the penalty. But this week, the High Court delivered its verdict, and it didn’t go in his favour.

Why the High Court said no

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, who had reserved his order last month, ruled that the show cause notice issued by tax authorities was legally valid and issued on time.

The court focused only on one key question: was the penalty process started within the time limit set by law?

The answer, according to the court, was yes.

Since the notice fell within the permitted period under Section 263 of the Income Tax Act, the court said there was no procedural flaw. Because of this, the judge did not examine other arguments raised by Vijay.

In short: the case failed on timing, not on detailed merits.

Not the end of the road (yet)

While dismissing Vijay’s plea, the court did leave one door open. The actor-politician has been given liberty to approach the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT).

This means he can still challenge the penalty but only on grounds other than delay or limitation.

So yes, the fight isn’t completely over, but it just got tougher.

How this case snowballed over the years

This legal saga has been unfolding for nearly a decade.

– September 2015: Income tax searches take place at Vijay’s residence.

– December 2017: An assessment order is passed.

– December 2018: Penalty proceedings under Section 271AAB(1) are initiated.

Vijay challenges the assessment before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and gets partial relief.
The department appeals to the ITAT, which partly supports the tax authorities including on expenses linked to Vijay’s fan association.

Meanwhile penalty proceedings related to the Rs 15 crore surrendered during the search continued.

In July 2019, the department issued a notice under Section 263 claiming penalty proceedings were not properly started. However the ITAT scrapped this move in May 2022 saying no further action was needed once penalties were already in motion.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report, which reviewed India’s defeat in the 1962 war with China, has remained classified for over six decades, describing it as a defence matter that should not be used for political purposes.

Posting on X, Rijiju said the report had indicted the then Nehru government for what he called a “humiliating defeat” at the hands of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, but added that successive governments had not declassified it. “Our govt is led by a matured leader. Since 1962, Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report has remained secret… Our Govt has never declassified it as defence matter can’t be used as political tools,” he wrote.

What is the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report?

The Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report was prepared by Lieutenant General Henderson Brooks and Brigadier General Premindra Singh Bhagat and was commissioned by then Acting Army Chief General JN Chaudhuri after the 1962 India-China war. The report reviewed the Indian Army’s operational failures during the conflict and has remained classified since it was submitted.

Alongside his remarks, Rijiju also reshared a post from November 1, 2024, highlighting infrastructure development along India’s borders. Referring to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, he wrote, “After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India’s border development now. Celebrated Diwali at Bumla with our Army Jawans in Arunachal Pradesh.”

How the issue connects to the current Parliament standoff

Rijiju’s comments come amid heightened political tensions in Parliament following repeated disruptions during the motion of thanks on the President’s Address. The row erupted after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped from quoting what was described as an “unpublished memoir” of General MM Naravane, who served as India’s Army Chief from 2019 to 2022, in the Lok Sabha.

Gandhi was repeatedly interrupted while attempting to read excerpts from the book during Monday’s debate. He later said the memoir mentioned that as Chinese tanks advanced towards Indian positions, Naravane had been told “to do what he deemed appropriate”.

Members of the BJP, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, objected to the references, accusing Gandhi of violating parliamentary rules by quoting from an unpublished book and misleading the House.

The Defence Minister said, “Rahul Gandhi should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published”.

Disruptions, suspensions and an unusual vote

The impasse led to repeated adjournments and protests. On Tuesday, Gandhi again attempted to raise the issue but was stopped, triggering further disruption. Eight Congress MPs were later suspended for disorderly conduct.

For the first time in 22 years, the Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the motion of thanks on the President’s address without the customary reply by the Prime Minister. The developments followed remarks by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who said he had advised the Prime Minister not to attend the House after receiving information about possible protests by Congress MPs.

On Wednesday, Gandhi displayed a copy of the unpublished book to reporters outside Parliament, contesting claims that the memoir did not exist.

Naravane’s memoir, expected to be published in 2024, has reportedly been delayed amid concerns that it contains sensitive operational details related to the military standoff with China.

India and China last clashed along their disputed Himalayan border in the Galwan River valley in Ladakh in the summer of 2020, marking the first fatal confrontation between the two sides since 1975.

This week, actor Rajpal Yadav found himself at the center of a serious legal storm, and this time, there was no comic escape.

On Thursday evening, Rajpal Yadav quietly surrendered before the authorities at Delhi’s Tihar Jail. According to PTI, a jail source confirmed that the actor surrendered at 4 pm and that standard jail procedures would now be followed.

Why did Rajpal Yadav go to jail?

The trouble comes from long-running cheque-bounce cases linked to a complaint filed by M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. The case involves Rajpal Yadav and his wife, who were accused of issuing several cheques that bounced and failing to repay the due amount.

Back in 2018, a Delhi magisterial court convicted both Rajpal and his wife in these cases. Rajpal was sentenced to six months in jail. A sessions court upheld this conviction in 2019, making the legal trouble even more serious.

Rajpal Yadav didn’t go down without trying. Just a day before his surrender, his lawyer approached the Delhi High Court asking for more time. The argument was simple: the actor had arranged ₹50 lakh and needed one more week to complete the payment.

But the court wasn’t convinced.

Also Read: Anurag Kashyap reacts after being called ‘Bollywood guy’ in Epstein files linked to alleged Beijing event

The deadline to surrender was set for 4 pm on Wednesday, February 2. The court refused to extend it. In strong words, the judge made it clear that being a celebrity does not mean getting special treatment.

The court also noted that Rajpal Yadav had breached several undertakings where he promised to repay the complainant but failed to do so.

Interestingly, Rajpal Yadav did get temporary relief earlier. In June 2024, the Delhi High Court had suspended his conviction for a while. At that time, the court encouraged him to take “sincere and genuine measures” to settle the matter amicably.

But those hopes faded.

On February 2, the High Court directed him to surrender, clearly stating that his repeated failure to honour commitments left the court with no option.

The world is abuzz again as the newly released Epstein Files shine a light on the dark world of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network. Millions of pages of documents, emails, photos, and videos have surfaced, revealing the shocking extent of the late financier’s activities. And of course, when such files go public, the internet can’t resist connecting the dots to famous names. Among the chatter is Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

Anurag Kashyap reacts

According to some unverified documents, Kashyap’s name appears as the “Bollywood guy” invited to an Epstein-linked event in Beijing back in 2017. But the director told HTCity, “I’ve no clue about this. I get 15 speaker invitations a month and I rarely respond. I have never even been to Beijing!” he said.

He added that the emails themselves were not convincing. “It’s some random email. The clickbait around my name is more popular than my films, honestly.”

Also Read: Deepak Chopra in Epstein Files with ‘God is a construct, cute girls are real’ email; Richa Chadha slams the author

Anurag Kashyap on the work front

While the gossip mills churn, Kashyap is focused on his work. He recently directed the two-part crime series Nishaanchi and is gearing up for the Indian theatrical release of Kennedy later this month.

The film has already made waves internationally having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2023.

The Epstein files sweep across India

The US Department of Justice dropped the Epstein Files on January 30, 2026 under Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in November 2025. The massive release included over three million documents, sparking global headlines.

Several Indian-origin personalities are mentioned, including wellness guru Deepak Chopra, filmmakers Mira Nair and Nandita Das, and of course, Kashyap.

Reports suggest Kashyap’s name appeared in emails between Epstein and people like Giuseppe Bersani, Gino Yu, and Ornella Corazza. In these exchanges, he was referred to as one of several “cool people” considered for workshops on Buddhism, technology, and medicine.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has held “very productive discussions” with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the strategically located island of Diego Garcia, which hosts a major UK-US joint military base in the Indian Ocean.
Trump said that, though he understood the British Prime Minister had negotiated “the best he could make” under the circumstances, he would never allow the US presence at the military base to be “undermined” or “threatened”.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Diego Garcia as being of “great importance” to US national security due to its central location in the Indian Ocean and its role in supporting American military operations.

“It is the site of a major U.S. Military Base, strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and therefore, of great importance to the National Security of the United States,” Trump said.
Trump credited recent US military successes to the strength of American warfighters, modern military equipment and the strategic positioning of US bases worldwide, including Diego Garcia.

He referred to the lease arrangement of the UK-Mauritius Treaty, signed in 2025, which provides that Mauritius will exercise full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, with the UK retaining rights on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.
Trump said he understood that the British Prime Minister Starmer had negotiated “the best he could make” under the circumstances.

However, Trump warned that the United States would take decisive action if its military presence on the island were ever threatened.
“If the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our Base, I retain the right to Militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia, ” he said.
Trump also rejected what he described as “fake claims or environmental nonsense” being used to undermine the US presence at the base.

“Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a Base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened,” he added.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump criticised the United Kingdom over its plans to give away the Diego Garcia island and called it an act of “great stupidity”. He said that London’s action is one of several reasons Greenland must be “acquired”.He made the remarks on January 20 in a Truth Social post.

The US President said, “Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before. The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired. Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Trump’s remarks came shortly after the third reading of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill on January 13 in the UK Parliament.
The UK-Mauritius Treaty, signed in 2025, provides that Mauritius will exercise full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, with the UK retaining rights on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.

Over the 99-year period, the UK will pay Mauritius around £3.4 billion at 2025/26 prices. The UK Government says this resolves the long-standing BIOT sovereignty dispute and secures the military base for continued operations in the long term, according to the UK House of Commons Library.

Trump’s sharp tone stood in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s stance on the treaty, which hailed the historic Chagos archipelago agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius and highlighted how diplomacy can overcome long-standing challenges to reach peaceful, mutually beneficial outcomes.

Former President Biden said the agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while granting the United Kingdom authority to exercise Mauritius’s sovereign rights over Diego Garcia.

A diplomatic row erupted online between Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose after the envoy warned of possible punitive action against Polish parliamentary Speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty over remarks critical of US President Donald Trump.

The exchange followed Czarzasty’s refusal to back an initiative proposed by US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, which seeks to mobilise parliamentary leaders to nominate Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in Middle East diplomacy.

Explaining his stance, Czarzasty said, “In my opinion, President Trump is destabilising the situation in these (international) organisations by representing the politics of force and using force to pursue a transactional policy.”
He added, “All of this means that I will not support President Trump’s Nobel Prize nomination because he doesn’t deserve it.”

Rose reacted sharply on X, stating that the United States would distance itself from Czarzasty over what he described as an insult to Trump.
“(Czarzasty’s) outrageous and unprovoked insults directed against President Trump has made himself a serious impediment to our excellent relations with Prime Minister Tusk and his government,” Rose wrote.

He further added, “We will not permit anyone to harm US-Polish relations, nor disrespect (Trump) who has done so much for Poland and the Polish people.”
Prime Minister Tusk stepped in, urging restraint and mutual respect among allies. “Mr Ambassador Rose, allies should respect each other, not lecture each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership,” Tusk posted on social media.

Rose responded in a continued online exchange, writing, “Mr Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the US-Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States. And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States– the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.”

Czarzasty later addressed the controversy, saying he “regretfully” accepted Rose’s reaction but would not alter his position on what he described as “fundamental issues for Polish women and men.”

“In line with my values, I stood up for Polish soldiers fighting on missions and did not support the nomination of President @realDonaldTrump for the Nobel Peace Prize. I consistently respect the USA as Poland’s key partner,” he wrote.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) carried out an extensive range of safety audits, inspections and surveillance checks across the aviation sector in 2025, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Mohol said that as part of planned surveillance activities during the year, the aviation regulator conducted 3,890 surveillance inspections and 56 regulatory audits. In addition, 84 surveillance checks of foreign aircraft (SOFA) were undertaken, along with 492 ramp checks to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.

Responding to queries about recurring technical or operational deficiencies, the Minister said that since January 2025, a total of 377 aircraft have been identified with recurring defects. These aircraft were part of a combined fleet of 754 aircraft operated by various scheduled airlines. Airline-wise details of these findings, as on February 3, have been provided separately in an annexure, he added.

In addition to planned activities, the DGCA conducted numerous unplanned surveillance measures. These included 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance checks, aimed at monitoring airline operations and maintenance practices without prior notice.
Regarding manpower shortages at the DGCA, the government said the number of sanctioned technical posts has been significantly increased. In 2022, the DGCA had 637 sanctioned technical posts. To address future requirements and strengthen regulatory oversight, the restructuring exercise has raised the number of sanctioned technical posts to 1,063.

The government also highlighted steps taken to strengthen real-time monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. The DGCA has issued Surveillance and Enforcement Division Circular No. 1/2025, dated July 7, 2025, mandating the use of the eGCA portal for all surveillance activities. The portal is to be used for issuance and closure of Deficiency Reporting Forms (CA-2001) as well as enforcement orders.

Replying to a question on air connectivity, the Minister said that as per the Winter Schedule 2025, no scheduled domestic airline has proposed to operate flights to or from Singrauli Airport.

The detailed surveillance procedures followed by the DGCA are laid down in the DGCA Surveillance Procedure Manual, which is available on the regulator’s official website, the Minister added.

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Friday criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government, asserting that the Chief Minister had proclaimed on Republic Day that Maharashtra “will not stop” and will become “more dynamic.” However, the actual situation on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway presents a contrasting narrative, as an extraordinary 32-hour traffic ordeal has effectively “cut the string” of the government’s ambitious assertions.

The Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ claimed that the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, once considered a “rosy dream” for drivers, has transitioned into a “thorny truth”. “What was meant to be a swift and comfortable journey is now defined by the constant fear of being stranded. As the government continues to drum up support for new mega-highways like the Samruddhi and Shaktipeeth, the current state of the expressway remains a tragic irony of a supposedly ‘speedy’ Maharashtra,” it said.

Referring to the traffic jam after a gas tanker overturned on the highway on Tuesday, the Thackeray camp highlighted a stark contrast between the administration’s rhetoric and the functional reality of state infrastructure. It also challenged the state government’s claims regarding infrastructure and development.

According to the editorial, the government appeared “helpless”, with no effective alternative routes or solutions to quickly rescue stranded citizens. Massive queues of vehicles stretched for 30 kilometres on both sides of the expressway, and thousands of citizens were stranded without access to food or water.

The editorial further said that the ordeal did not end with the tanker. Just as the initial congestion began to clear, a cement container broke down in the middle of the road between Talegaon and Malavali on Thursday. This second incident paralysed Mumbai-bound traffic for several more hours, marking a second consecutive day of misery for commuters.

“While leaders boast about projects like the ‘Atal Setu’, the ‘Missing Link’ and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, they appear helpless in managing existing vital arteries. Although the expressway was a visionary project initiated by the Shiv Sena chief decades ago, the government has failed to plan for the massive surge in vehicle volume seen over the last 25 years,” said the Thackeray camp.

The Thackeray camp likened the Chief Minister’s recent orders to relevant agencies to “locking the stable door after the horse has bolted”.

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Friday unanimously decided to keep the key policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent, citing resilient domestic growth, a benign inflation outlook and rising global uncertainties.

The decision was taken at the MPC’s 59th meeting held from February 4-6, under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 5.00 per cent, while the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate continue at 5.50 per cent. The MPC also opted to retain its neutral policy stance, indicating a calibrated approach going forward.

The central bank noted that the global economy showed notable resilience during 2025, supported by front-loaded trade activity, fiscal stimulus and accommodative monetary policies across major economies.

However, rising geopolitical tensions, fiscal pressures and divergence in monetary policies continue to inject volatility into global financial markets.

On the domestic front, India’s real GDP growth for 2025-26 is estimated at 7.4 per cent, according to the First Advance Estimates. Growth has been largely driven by robust private consumption and fixed investment, even as net external demand remained a drag due to higher imports.

On the supply side, real gross value added (GVA) is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent, supported by buoyant services activity, a resilient agriculture sector and signs of revival in manufacturing.

Looking ahead, the RBI expects domestic demand to remain strong, aided by healthy rabi prospects, GST rationalisation, monetary easing and a benign inflation environment. Investment activity is likely to maintain momentum on the back of high capacity utilisation, robust credit growth and the government’s continued thrust on capital expenditure.

The MPC also highlighted that merchandise exports could benefit from the prospective India–US trade deal, while recent trade agreements with the European Union, New Zealand and Oman are expected to diversify exports and strengthen the external sector.

Taking these factors into account, the RBI revised its real GDP growth projections for the first two quarters of 2026-27 upwards to 6.9 per cent and 7.0 per cent, respectively, with risks evenly balanced.

On inflation, headline CPI remained exceptionally low at 0.7 per cent in November and 1.3 per cent in December 2025. Food prices continued to remain in deflation, while fuel inflation stayed moderate. Core inflation also remained benign despite an increase in precious metal prices. Excluding gold, core inflation stood at 2.6 per cent in December.
The near-term inflation outlook remains favourable, supported by healthy food supply conditions, adequate buffer stocks and stable core inflation.

However, the RBI cautioned that geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices and adverse weather events pose upside risks. CPI inflation for 2025-26 has been projected at 2.1 per cent, with Q4 inflation expected to rise to 3.2 per cent due to unfavourable base effects. For Q1 and Q2 of 2026-27, inflation is projected at 4.0 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively.

Explaining the rationale behind the policy decision, the MPC said that while external headwinds have intensified, the overall domestic growth and inflation outlook remains positive. Most members agreed that the current policy rate is appropriate, though one member, Prof. Ram Singh, reiterated his preference for a shift from a neutral to an accommodative stance.

The RBI said future policy actions would be guided by evolving macroeconomic conditions and data from the new GDP and CPI series, based on 2024 as the base year. The minutes of the MPC meeting will be released on February 20, 2026, while the next policy meeting is scheduled for April 6–8, 2026.

Lily Allen has spoken candidly about how her relationship with addiction didn’t end with sobriety, it simply changed shape. The singer and actor revealed that after years of struggling with drugs and alcohol, she now finds herself battling a dependence on material possessions.

Also Read: Drew Barrymore says she’d never date a man in his 20s: ‘It just feels wrong’

A new form of addiction

Speaking in a recent interview with Elle, the 40-year-old described shopping as a new way of escaping herself, admitting that she often turns to spending when discomfort sets in.

“If I have an addiction, it’s to material things”

Allen explained that addiction, for her, has always been rooted in avoidance rather than excess alone. “It’s a need to escape myself,” she said, adding that substances once dulled that feeling, and now shopping plays a similar role.

“And alcohol and drugs numb you to that. So does sex, food, spending money, conflict,” she said. “If I have an addiction, it’s to material things.”

Guilt, money and self-worth

The singer also reflected on her complicated relationship with wealth, admitting she doesn’t always feel deserving of the money she earns. That discomfort, she said, pushes her to spend rather than save.

“I don’t believe that I am worthy of the things that I have in the world or the money that I make,” Allen shared. “So part of me tries to get rid of it.”

Designer purchases, she added, offer an oddly satisfying solution, one that feeds both impulse and guilt at the same time.

Living on the edge — by choice

Among her recent splurges is a Porsche 911 Carrera, alongside a painting and an emerald ring. While the purchase made her feel “a bit silly,” Allen admitted she has always wanted the car and doesn’t enjoy feeling too comfortable

“There’s something about the idea of running out of money that drives me,” she said, acknowledging that the thrill of financial risk gives her a sense of momentum, even if it isn’t healthy.

Recognising what isn’t healthy

When asked whether she feels happier living on the edge, Allen answered honestly. “Yes, but that’s not healthy,” she said, adding that feeling whole and secure would mean believing she deserves stability, something she’s still working towards.

“If I felt like a complete, whole, full person, I’d think I was worthy of a nice house, paying off my mortgage, and doing the weekly shop,” she explained.

Passing on the joy, not the baggage

Despite her conflicted feelings, Allen admits she loves beautiful things and has built up a significant fashion collection over the years. She hopes to one day pass those pieces on to her daughters, Ethel, 14, and Marnie, 13.

The revelation comes shortly after Allen shared that she narrowly avoided a serious accident last month when a lorry forced her new Porsche off the road, a moment that served as a sharp reminder of how quickly things can change.

Also Read: Halle Berry on ageing, menopause and Hollywood: ‘I refuse to be erased

The Lok Sabha, which was scheduled to hold a general discussion on the Union Budget 2026–27 on Friday, could not do so amid repeated adjournments and opposition protests. The stalemate continued in the lower house in the backdrop of a fresh procedural dispute raised by the Congress over how the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address was adopted yesterday.

The House assembled at 11 am for government business, starting with Question Hour, but had to be adjourned amid continuing opposition protests. Amid the din, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla warned the opposition MPs and said, “If you want to end the dignity of the House, then the House cannot function in such a situation.”

The Speaker then adjourned the Lok Sabha proceedings first till 12 noon and then till 11 am on February 9 (Monday) amid continuing uproar from the opposition.

Earlier, Congress MP and Public Accounts Committee chairperson KC Venugopal wrote to the Speaker alleging “serious procedural irregularities” in the adoption of the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, claiming violations of parliamentary rules.

Why Congress is questioning the Motion of Thanks process

The issue centres on how the Motion of Thanks was taken up and cleared in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2026. The motion was passed without Prime Minister Narendra Modi replying to the debate, even as the House witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments through the day. Opposition members, led by the Congress, protested throughout the proceedings, and the Prime Minister was not present in the House when the motion was finally put to vote.

In his letter to the Speaker, Venugopal cited Rule 20 of the Rules of Procedure, stating that “as per Rule 20 of the Rules, it is mandatory for the Hon’ble Prime Minister to explain the position of the Government at the end of the discussion on the Motion of Thanks.” He added that “in the present case, neither did the Hon’ble Prime Minister reply to the debate nor was the House informed about his inability to do so,” which, he said, “clearly amounts to a violation of the provisions of Rule 20.”

Venugopal also referred to established parliamentary practice, noting that “a debate is normally concluded with the reply of the concerned Minister.” He pointed out that in exceptional situations, “a motion under Rule 362 is required to be moved by a Member” to formally close the debate without such a reply.

According to him, “no such motion under Rule 362 was moved,” and instead, “at around 12 o’clock, the Motion of Thanks was abruptly put before the House, thereby bringing the debate to a close without following the prescribed procedure.” He said this “constitutes a violation of Rule 362.”

The Congress MP urged the Speaker to “kindly inform the House about the authenticity of the procedure followed” concerning the PM’s reply under Rule 20 and the closure of the debate under Rule 362.

Bills, papers and Private Members’ Business on Friday’s agenda

Apart from the Budget discussion, several Union ministers were scheduled to lay papers on the table today, including representatives from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Defence, External Affairs, Law and Justice, and Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

From 3.30 pm onwards, the Lok Sabha was due to take up Private Members’ Business. The list included the introduction of several Private Members’ Bills, among them Constitution Amendment Bills and proposed changes to the Representation of the People Act.

Other Bills related to the welfare of students, senior citizens, farmers, women, fishermen, and workers, along with proposals touching on artificial intelligence, healthcare, education, the environment, labour reforms, digital platforms, and social security.

Disruptions over Rahul Gandhi remarks and India-China standoff debate

The Budget Session has seen repeated stoppages as opposition MPs, including Congress members, staged protests over a separate flashpoint involving Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The row began during a discussion when Gandhi raised the issue of the 2020 India-China standoff, but was not allowed to quote from the unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane, triggering continued disruptions in the House.

In the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday, spoke on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address and turned his fire on the Congress, referring to a controversy around a “traitor” remark aimed at BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu.

Taking aim at the Congress leadership, Modi said the comment showed the party’s “arrogance at its peak” and described it as an insult to the Sikh community. He alleged that Bittu was singled out because he is Sikh, and called the remark an affront to Sikh Gurus and Sikh values.

What lies ahead in the Budget Session

The Budget Session has 30 sittings scheduled over 65 days and is set to end on April 2. Both Houses will break for recess on February 13 and return on March 9, when Standing Committees will take up the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments for scrutiny.

The virtual US Embassy in Iran has issued a stark advisory urging American citizens to “leave Iran immediately”, citing rising security risks, communication blackouts, and widespread travel disruptions. The warning comes as the White House confirmed fresh US–Iran talks in Oman, underscoring heightened regional sensitivities.

In a detailed advisory released on Friday, the US Embassy said Iran is witnessing “increased security measures, road closures,” disruptions to public transport, and repeated internet shutdowns. “Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran,” the advisory noted, adding that access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks remains restricted.

The embassy cautioned that US citizens should be prepared for prolonged communication outages, plan alternative ways to stay in touch, and, if it is safe, consider leaving Iran by land routes through neighbouring countries.

Why the US Embassy has issued the warning now

“Leave Iran now. Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government help,” the advisory said, warning that flight cancellations could occur without notice. Americans unable to depart were advised to stay indoors in secure locations and stock essential supplies such as food, water, and medicines.

The embassy also urged US nationals to avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, closely follow local news, and be ready to change plans at short notice. Citizens were asked to keep phones charged, remain in contact with family and enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates.

Special caution was issued for US–Iranian dual nationals. The advisory said Iran does not recognise dual nationality and treats such individuals solely as Iranian citizens. “U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran,” it said, adding that showing a US passport or links to the United States could be enough to trigger detention. Dual nationals were instructed to exit Iran using Iranian passports.

The embassy also noted that the US government cannot guarantee safety for citizens choosing to leave via land routes and advised travellers to proceed only if they believe it is safe.

Exit routes available to US citizens from Iran

According to the advisory, the Armenia land border at Agarak/Norduz is currently open. US citizens entering Armenia from Iran require a valid US passport and can stay visa-free for up to 180 days.

Land crossings into Turkiye, including Gurbulak/Bazargan, Kapikoy/Razi and Esendere/Serow, are also open. Americans entering Turkiye can stay visa-free for up to 90 days.

The advisory said Turkmenistan has open land borders, but US citizens need special authorisation from the Turkmen government, facilitated through the US Embassy in Ashgabat. Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed to routine traffic, and entry requires prior approval, with potentially long waiting periods.

US citizens were explicitly advised not to travel to Afghanistan, Iraq or the Pakistan–Iran border region.

The advisory reiterated that the US has no diplomatic or consular relations with Iran, with the Swiss government acting as the protecting power for US interests in Tehran.

US–Iran talks in Oman as Washington pushes ‘zero nuclear capability’

The warning to Americans comes as the White House confirmed that fresh talks between the United States and Iran will be held in Oman, amid Washington’s insistence that Tehran accept “zero nuclear capability”.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Oman for the discussions, which were earlier expected to be held in Turkey before being shifted.

Framing the talks as part of President Donald Trump’s broader approach, Leavitt said diplomacy remained the administration’s first choice, but underlined a hard line on Iran’s nuclear programme. “Zero nuclear capability is something he’s been very explicit about,” she said, adding that Trump wanted to see if a deal was possible.

She also issued a warning to Tehran, saying the president had “many options at his disposal aside from diplomacy”, while stressing that Trump remained open to talks.

Oman has historically served as a discreet diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran, particularly during periods when formal negotiations stalled elsewhere.

Fresh violence broke out in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Thursday evening as protests against Kuki-Zo MLAs joining the BJP-led state government escalated into clashes with security forces, leaving at least five people injured and the situation highly tense.

The unrest erupted around 6 pm at Tuibong Main Market and Tuibong Bazaar areas, where hundreds of protesters, mostly youths, gathered to oppose the swearing-in of BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister and the anticipated induction of LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate into the government. Demonstrators attempted to push security personnel back to their barracks, torched discarded materials and tyres, and raised slogans against the new political developments.

Security forces intervened to disperse the crowd, but the situation quickly spiralled. Protesters resorted to heavy stone-pelting, forcing central and state forces to respond with baton charges and tear gas shells. At least five protesters sustained minor injuries, police officials said, while additional forces were rushed to the trouble-hit areas to prevent further escalation.

Why protests erupted in Churachandpur

Tensions in Churachandpur had been building since Wednesday evening after Nemcha Kipgen, who hails from Kangpokpi district, virtually took oath as Deputy Chief Minister from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi. Protesters said anger had intensified after reports that three Kuki-Zo MLAs were taking part in the formation of the Manipur government.

According to sources, resentment within sections of the Kuki-Zo community stems from the prolonged ethnic violence in the state. Community members allege that Kuki-Zo people have suffered heavily, with hundreds killed in earlier incidents and widespread destruction of property and churches.

Security response and current situation

Officials from the Assam Rifles, including the Commander of the 27 Sector, were deployed to defuse the situation, though initial attempts to calm protesters were unsuccessful. Security forces briefly pulled back while maintaining positions, even as protesters continued to press forward. Tear gas shells were later fired to disperse the crowd, and clashes were continuing at the time of the latest reports.

Senior security officials have rushed to Churachandpur to oversee efforts to restore normalcy. Authorities said the situation remains tense, with security forces still deployed across sensitive areas.

Political fallout within the Kuki-Zo community

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, on Thursday announced a social boycott of all Kuki-Zo MLAs who participated in the formation of the Manipur government.

Of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs in the state, three – Nemcha Kipgen, LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate – have so far been involved in the government formation process. Seven of the ten belong to the BJP, while the remaining three are affiliated with local Kuki-Zo organisations.

Several Kuki-Zo organisations have also called for a shutdown in Churachandpur district on Friday and announced plans to hold demonstrations in Kuki-Zo tribal-inhabited areas of other districts.

More details are awaited.

A day when the Congress officially announced its decision to contest the West Bengal Assembly elections on its own, the CPI-M said that it was still keen on forging a broader front of forces opposed to both the Trinamul Congress and the BJP, even as the prospects of a pre-poll understanding with the Congress appeared uncertain.

“The Left is keeping its channels of communication open to all the political groups that are against the ruling Trinamul Congress and opposition BJP,” CPM state general secretary Mohammed Salim told in a press conference on Thursday.

The revelation of the party’s central committee member came on a day when the Congress high command has formally announced that Congress will contest all the 294 seats in West Bengal alone, keeping very little room for negotiations.

On the question of the Congress joining any such platform, Salim said the party’s state leadership had indicated that the final decision would emerge from consultations at the grassroots level.

He, however, acknowledged that there had been no meaningful progress so far on either a formal alliance or seat-sharing arrangement ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled in about three months.

The Left parties had fought the 2021 Assembly elections in alliance with the Congress and the Indian Secular Front, but the experiment failed to yield results, with all Left and Congress candidates losing and only the ISF managing to win a single seat.

Responding to queries about whether the name of suspended Trinamul Congress MLA Humayun Kabir, who has floated the Janata Unnayan Party, figured in discussions at the CPI-M’s recent state committee meeting, Salim said the party did not centre its organisational or electoral deliberations on individuals.

His clarification came amid speculation of a possible understanding after he was seen meeting Kabir at a New Town hotel last week.

“The nature of the discussion was exploratory. We wanted to know his (Kabir’s) plans and objectives particularly after the controversy surrounding the laying of a foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad district,” he added.

Welcoming the Supreme Court’s directive asking the West Bengal government to clear 25 per cent of the dearness allowance dues to its employees for the period between 2008 and 2019, the CPM leader said: “This is a huge relief for nearly 20 lakh government staff. The ruling reaffirmed that DA was a statutory entitlement and not a matter of discretion.”

Taking a dig at the Mamata Banerjee government, Salim said its repeated claims of financial distress stood exposed, and questioned what had happened to the revenue figures often highlighted by the state administration.

Before diving into the raging UGC controversy gripping the nation, I would like to share a personal note as a teacher-one that I often repeat to my students. Discrimination usually stems from envy or prejudice. People hate seeing others outshine them. But here’s the exception: a parent beams with pride when their child surges ahead, and a teacher feels the same glow watching his students excel. In that “defeat,” they spot their own victory, forged through their nurturing role.

Their shadow lingers in those triumphs. I know countless teachers like me who’ve shaped students like their own kids, regardless of caste or community share this pride. In a bustling classroom or years as a research mentor, students become just that: students. No caste label. They bond with you over your knowledge and dedication, not your caste background. Contrast this with the so-called campus discrimination horror stories. They are still not as rampant as made out to be nor do they justify the UGC’s one-sided, risky “equity promotion” law – a powder keg for misuse. UGC seems to have bulldozed this without campus-wide consultations-ignoring teachers, students, VCs, and stakeholders who could have flagged the lop sides early on. No town halls, no feedback loops, just top-down diktat has made it controversial. On campus students make friends and rivals, they spat and yet collaborate with each other often without caste considerations.

That is how healthy societies form. Now imagine the scenario post-UGC regulations. A fresh 12th-pass kid, buzzing with excitement of learning new subjects and skills, ready to experiment and fail, finds “Equal Opportunity Centers” and “Equity Squads” more prevalent than innovation centres or “Equity Committees” more visible than cultural clubs or sports committees. Can his personality bloom in the shadow of fear? Will he vibe freely with peers, his faculty, or campus folk? Amid prowling Equity Squads and 24×7 Hotlines, can he hone questioning, creative and critical thinking – the skills to uplift himself and society? The UGC guides and boosts higher education, free thought, and research, backed by India’s top academics. How can one expect it to make regulations that breed fear, stifle teaching and dissuade scholarship? Do we want our campuses to turn into police states? Seems UGC has rushed this without giving sufficient thought.

Sadly, post-independence, our higher education fell prey to left-wing class-war narratives. Literature, history, politics, sociology – all painted Indian society as a vast canvas of oppressors and oppressed, erasing all models of harmony between people of different castes and communities. Theories like Manuvaad, Brahminism, patriarchy and feminism first exploded on elite campuses. Then they became widespread. Campuses echoed with offensive and hateful slogans like “Tilak-Taraazu aur Talwar”, branding everybody in the general category as quintessential oppressors who deserve to be booted out. Leftist ideologues hailed it as progressive free speech–a must for breaking imaginary upper caste tyranny.

This divisive poison seems to have triumphed again: UGC’s regulation endorses the same left binary, pitting castes against each other. Once it comes into action it will empower grievance-mongers, fracture student unions, and revive day-to-day conflicts under the banner of justice. Will our institutions be able to handle it? On the contrary, to fulfil the dream of ‘Vikasit Bharat’ our campuses needed to go “caste-neutral”. They should be empowered to shield all against bias, hate-mongering caste politics. This demands ironclad zones where nobody, with zero exceptions, is discriminated against on caste or community lines. An inclusive and harmonious academic environment should be allowed to flourish. That’s vital for free thinking and quality research. Sadly, UGC’s regulation presumes general-category students and teachers guilty of casteism and discrimination – echoing the oppressor-oppressed tale leftists peddled for decades.

Will this weaken casteism or augment it further? Everyone, prejudices aside, must ponder seriously. The UGC’s 2026 Equity Regulation boasts of wiping out caste bias-but it’s a Trojan horse inviting chaos. Prime peril: rampant misuse via false accusations. General-category students and faculty now live in dread of baseless complaints from rivals over grades, project credits, or personal grudges, twisted into “caste discrimination”. Petty academic beefs could explode into career-wrecking probes, with accusers facing zero blowback. Besides, mandatory equity committees and EOCs will swamp small colleges in paperwork, pulling focus from classrooms to endless investigations. Quality teaching is likely to be buried under complaint piles.

Harsh penalties will demotivate faculty and students. UGC grant blackouts or derecognition could bankrupt modest institutes, widening the urban-rural education gap. Chilling surveillance will stifle free speech. 24×7 monitoring and reports will breed self-censorship. Consequently, professors will dodge tough debates while students will fear their question may be interpreted as offensive. Eventually, innovation will die; echo chambers will thrive. Reverse discrimination will brew on campuses. Worse, this regulation flouts Article 14’s right to equality before law. General-category professors, students, and staff get zero safeguards against witch-hunts-no presumption of innocence, no burden of proof on accusers. Motivated, malicious complaints are likely to swell as there is no deterrence of penalty or punitive action for motivated and false accusations.

It’s a one-way street: the “oppressed” wield unchecked power, while others cower defenseless. Eventually courts will have to strike down this lopsided farce. Unfortunately, these one-sided inclusivity traps will breed fresh inequalities. But all is not lost. The ball is now in the government’s court. It’s a government which is empathetic towards all sections of society as it follows the goal of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” One is confident it will listen to the legitimate concerns and help every student and campus bloom its best. It will not allow the cherished ‘Viksit Bharat’ dream of the nation to derail due to such manageable glitches.

(The writer is a former Principal Faculty of National Institute of Design and an acclaimed author.)