Chaos erupted inside Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla’s chamber on Wednesday after several Congress MPs staged a protest against the Chair for allowing BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to speak in the House where he referred to certain books related to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was also present inside the Speaker’s chamber when the MPs staged their protest. An argument also broke out between the Opposition and ruling BJP MP, with Dubey also present there.

Dubey had levelled some allegations on Nehru and Indira Gandhi as he referred to some books while speaking in the House.

“Why are there different rules? Why did he make derogatory personal comments against Nehru and Indira?” the Congress MPs asked.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that Dubey was speaking on directions of the government to create disruption in the House.

“The govt is not letting a member quote from a published book, but he (BJP MP Nishikant Dubey) brings 6 books to the House and quotes from them. This government wants to show that only their way will work in Parliament. This is a disrespect of the Speaker and Parliament,” Priyanka said.

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘traitor’ remark for MoS Bittu triggers row; Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri calls it ‘a slur on Sikhs’

She further added that the government has brought up Nehru to distract the people of the nation because they don’t want them to hear what General Naravane has said about the country’s leadership.

“Never. This is not how a country is run. What they did today was to show that only what they want will happen in the House, and they won’t allow the LoP to speak….This is a very serious issue, and everyone should understand this. It is the first time that the govt itself doesn’t want the House to function,” she added.

What Dubey said on quoting books on Nehru in Lok Sabha?

Addressing a press conference, Nishikant Dubey said that the books he referred to in Lok Sabha are published but have been banned in India, while Parliament proceedings were stalled due to a book that had not been published anywhere.

He urged the Speaker to have a discussion on the books, saying public should know the story of before 2014.

“I urge the speaker and this is the same thing that I said in the Parliament also, that there should be a discussion on the books which are published and the public should know the story of before 2014, about which the majority of the population has no knowledge, there should be a discussion on it in the Parliament…The Gandhi-Nehru family will be exposed following the discussion in the Parliament…,” he said.

These developments came after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak in the House during the debate on President’s Address as he sought to quote an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief MM Naravane.

The MPs also protested in the Parliament premises, chanting ‘LoP ko bolne do’ slogans.

The controversy erupted after Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed that Chinese tanks entered the Indian territory and cited a magazine article on Naravane’s book.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju objected to this and argued that an unpublished book cannot be quoted in the House.

Speaking to reporters over the issue, Rahul Gandhi today said that the government was not allowing the former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s memoir to be published in India.

“It’s available abroad, I think. It’s published abroad. Govt is not allowing it to be published here. That’s what I believe. The book is available. You can imagine where the book (that he is carrying today) has come from. You think about where it came from,” he added.

The Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, on Tuesday admitted that his country has failed in controlling the deteriorating situation in Balochistan because of outdated weapons with the Pakistani security forces. While addressing the National Assembly yesterday, he acknowledged that Pakistan is handicapped in confronting Baloch rebels amid a fresh surge in militant violence in Balochistan after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched the second phase of its armed campaign, named Operation Herof.

During his address, he said that the Baloch rebels are equipped with better rifles, defence gear, and other weapons. He also stated that it is easier to control densely populated urban areas that allow concentrated troop deployment than Balochistan, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of Pakistan’s landmass. He highlighted how security forces are actively engaged, but stretched thin by the need to guard and patrol such a vast territory.

The Pakistan Defence Minister labelled the Baloch protestors as terrorists.

Reportedly, 197 Baloch people were killed in counterterrorism operations across the province in the last three days. These people mainly belonged to Fitna al-Hindustan and other armed groups of the region. Notably, twenty-two security personnel were also killed.

Meanwhile, Baloch pro-independence leader Hyrbyair Marri has levelled allegations against the Pakistani military establishment and political elite for altering narratives to discredit the Baloch freedom movement.

Also, Hakeem Baloch, Focal Person of the Baloch National Movement’s Foreign Department, has claimed that the Pakistani government has failed to suppress the unrest in Balochistan or address what it labels a “low-level insurgency.” He dismissed Pakistan’s claim of killing over 140 militants in recent coordinated operations.

“Pakistan is neither able to stop the intensity of the war in Balochistan nor does it have effective intelligence… Baloch fighters arrive, carry out attacks, successfully achieve their objectives, and then leave. After that, the Pakistani state detains ordinary Baloch civilians, unarmed people, and political workers, forcing them into enforced disappearances. This includes Baloch activists, political workers, human rights activists, Baloch leaders, or their family members, who are abducted as a form of collective punishment,” Hakeem Baloch said.

Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that since approximately 54 per cent of cancer cases among men in Uttar Pradesh are caused by substance abuse, the government should launch a comprehensive campaign against all forms of addiction.

He said that such campaigns should be led by trustworthy individuals who have honestly succeeded in life by staying away from all kinds of addiction—not only in public life but also in their private lives—and whose families are happy and stable.

Such real-life examples, he said, would become a source of inspiration for society and encourage the younger generation to resolve to stay away from drugs.

Posting on social media on the occasion of World Cancer Day, Akhilesh Yadav emphasised that prevention is better than fighting cancer. He said cancer can be defeated through timely diagnosis and proper treatment. Vaccinations that are medically proven to prevent certain types of cancer should be adopted, and the government should ensure that these vaccines are made available free of cost.

He termed tobacco the biggest cause of cancer and appealed to people to completely distance themselves from its use.

The SP president also said that cancer survivors who have successfully overcome the disease and are now leading healthy lives should be introduced to patients in hospitals to instil hope and positivity among them.

He urged people to remain cautious of the misconception that some addictive products are being sold as “medicinal,” stressing that addiction in any form is harmful.

Akhilesh Yadav demanded that cancer medicines be made completely tax-free and provided free of cost to poor patients. He also called for better maintenance of existing cancer institutions in the state and prioritising the establishment of new cancer institutes at the divisional level.

Appealing for collective participation, he urged everyone to launch campaigns such as “Say No to Tobacco” and “Eradicate Addiction.” He said, “Adopt a happy life and do not touch drugs.”

All political parties are busy preparing with full force for the assembly elections to be held in Uttar Pradesh next year. However, the emerging dissenting voices within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and in the NDA have increased the concerns of the party leadership.

The growing divide between elected representatives and officials, and among ministers, is now becoming a subject of public debate.

The heated argument between Water Resources Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and local BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput on the road in Mahoba on January 30 is considered the latest example of this internal confrontation. Although the party leadership termed it a minor incident, in political circles, it is being seen as a link in the chain of imbalance between power and the organisation.

BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary gave a brief reaction regarding the heated exchange between Water Resources Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput in Mahoba. He said that the entire matter is in the party’s knowledge. Both leaders have been spoken to regarding this matter.

However, this is not the first time that a crack has appeared in the wall of discipline within the BJP. In the past few years, several incidents have come to light where dissatisfaction regarding the ambitions of elected representatives and the administrative style of functioning has surfaced openly.

Earlier, in July 2022, the public resignation of Minister of State for Water Resources Dinesh Khatik, who accused officials of neglect and corruption, was a major indication of this unrest. Although the matter was later resolved, the message was clear that internally, all was not well.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, infighting within the party also came to the fore. The bitter verbal spat between Union Minister Dr Sanjeev Balyan, who was contesting from the Muzaffarnagar seat, and former BJP MLA Sangeet Som affected several seats. After the election results were announced, BJP candidate Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma from Saharanpur openly blamed a party minister and MLA for his defeat, further escalating the political tension.

In Uttar Pradesh politics, infighting is becoming increasingly evident not only within the ruling BJP but also among ministers of the BJP and its allies. The latest incident involves the growing conflict between cabinet ministers Om Prakash Rajbhar and Anil Rajbhar, which has now spilled into the public domain.

Both leaders belong to the same caste, reside in the same area, and hold cabinet-level positions in the Yogi government. Their long-standing rivalry now appears to be transforming into sharp verbal attacks.

A few days ago, while UP minister Anil Rajbhar was giving a speech at an event in Varanasi, some people wearing yellow scarves started chanting slogans. An angry Anil Rajbhar, identifying the sloganeers as supporters of another state minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar, said, “Just like their leader is a thief, they are also thieves.” He then instructed his supporters to remove the sloganeers, who were subsequently pushed and forced out of the venue.

Responding to this incident, Om Prakash Rajbhar, during his Varanasi visit on Sunday, retaliated against Anil Rajbhar, saying, “The one pointing fingers used to run an iron shop 23 years ago and was involved in theft.” He challenged Anil Rajbhar, saying, “If you are a man and if you are a true son of your mother, then tell me where the shop for selling votes is located.”

Responding to Om Prakash Rajbhar’s statement, Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar said, “Why is he bringing my mother into this? A mother is a mother, regardless of whose she is.”

On the eve of elections, the biggest challenge for the BJP is to maintain public trust. The ground reality is that in many areas, elected representatives feel marginalised, while allegations of excessive influence by the bureaucracy persist.

Against this backdrop, a new agenda is being prepared for cabinet expansion, panchayat elections, reorganisation of the state unit, and coordination meetings between the BJP and the RSS to control dissent before the 2027 assembly elections. Political analysts believe that if the coordination between the government and the party organisation is not strengthened in time, this internal conflict could become a major weapon for the opposition. How successfully the BJP leadership manages these dissenting voices in the coming months will determine the outcome of the upcoming elections.

As part of a nationwide clean-up effort to maintain the continued accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar database, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons till date.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In case of the death of a person, it is essential that his/her Aadhaar number is deactivated to prevent potential identity fraud or unauthorised usage of such Aadhaar number for availing welfare benefits.

Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric identity system with about 134 crore live Aadhaar holders.

The minister said several measures have been taken to reduce the risk of identity fraud and ensure leak-proof delivery of benefits in the country. The measures include:

Biometric Lock/Unlock feature enables an Aadhaar number holder to “Lock” his biometrics, preventing any unauthorized authentication attempts.

Aadhaar Lock/Unlock feature for an Aadhaar number holder.

Deployment of Face Authentication having a ‘Liveness Detection feature’ to prevent spoofing and ensure the physical presence of the beneficiary during transactions.

Offline Verification: Promotion of Aadhaar Secure QR Code, Aadhaar paperless offline e-KYC, e-Aadhaar and Aadhaar verifiable credentials for offline identity verification.

No sharing of Core Biometric information of Aadhaar number holders in any manner by UIDAI.

Secure Data Storage: Mandatory use of Aadhaar Data Vaults by all requesting entities to store Aadhaar numbers in an encrypted format.

Database Sanitization: Regular de-duplication and deactivation of Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased persons.

Updation of demographic details of an Aadhaar number holder is allowed only as per documents listed by UIDAI. and

UIDAI has launched a new Aadhaar app, which facilitatesthe sharing of verified credentials by Aadhaar number holders with the Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSE) in a secure and seamless manner.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that fresh cases for registration under the Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present in view of the improved law and order situation in the valley.

“In view of the overall improvement in the law and order situation and the prevailing circumstances in the Kashmir Valley, there is no justification for fresh registration of migrants at this stage”, he said.

The CM said that the Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants is aimed at facilitating their voluntary, safe and dignified return to the valley while ensuring socio-economic security through housing, employment and other support measures.

Replying to a question by National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul in the Assembly, Abdullah said, “Fresh cases for registration under the Migrant Relief Assistance are presently not being entertained. The issue was examined in a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, J&K, on 12 July 2023. After due deliberations, it was observed that, in view of the overall improvement in the law and order situation and the prevailing circumstances in the Kashmir Valley, there is no justification for fresh registration of migrants at this stage.

It was also observed that any security-related concerns in the Valley can be addressed locally by the district administration concerned and security agencies. Accordingly, fresh registration of migrants for relief assistance is not being undertaken at present”, he added.

Abdullah said the proposal for enhancement of the existing migrant relief assistance, considering inflation and the rising cost of living, has been examined at the Union Territory level and taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the competent authority to take a final decision on the matter.

The Chief Minister said the comprehensive Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants was announced in 2009 with a financial outlay of Rs 1,618.40 crore. He said the scheme provides a holistic framework to restore livelihood, housing, education and financial security of the migrant community.

Detailing the components of the scheme, Abdullah said it includes provision of residential support for migrant families, construction of transit accommodation for employees appointed under the package, continuation of monthly cash relief to registered migrant families, student scholarships, employment opportunities, assistance to agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on loans.

The Chief Minister said that to facilitate the return and rehabilitation, the Centre sanctioned 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) in 2009, followed by another 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in 2015, taking the total number of posts earmarked for migrant youth to 6000. Against the sanctioned 6,000 posts, appointment orders have been issued to 5,896 candidates so far, achieving about 98.26 per cent coverage. The remaining 104 posts are at various stages of recruitment and selection,” he said, adding that the employment component has significantly contributed towards livelihood security and confidence-building among the migrant youth.

On transit accommodation, Abdullah said that the Centre sanctioned the construction of 6,000 transit accommodation units across various districts of the valley in December 2015 for migrant government employees appointed under the PM package.

He said that out of the total 6,000 flats, 4,096 were completed till December 2025, while 1,904 units are under construction and are expected to be completed during the 2026-27 financial year. “Out of the completed stock, 3,250 flats have already been allotted to eligible PM package employees”.

If you thought the JFK Jr story had already been told from every possible angle, Ryan Murphy is here to prove you wrong. And he’s bringing some very interesting new faces along for the ride.

FX’s upcoming limited series ‘Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette’ is quietly stacking its cast, and the latest additions are already making Hollywood gossip circles buzz.

Actors Erich Bergen and Michael Nathanson have joined the show in recurring roles.

Also Read: Lust Stories 3 on Netflix: Release date, cast, directors and complete recap of seasons 1 and 2

Here’s everything you need to know.

Bergen, best known for his long run on ‘Madam Secretary’, will play Anthony Radziwill, a close friend of John F. Kennedy Jr. and a familiar figure in elite New York circles.

Nathanson, who recently appeared in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’, has been cast as Michael Berman, another key presence in JFK Jr.’s social and professional life.

What is this series really about?

This show is the first chapter of a new scripted anthology called Love Story, created by Connor Hines.

The series tracks their whirlwind romance, their headline-making wedding, and the growing pressure of living under constant media attention. What starts like a modern fairytale slowly turns darker, as paparazzi, rumours, and public expectations begin to weigh heavily on the couple.

The story ends where real life heartbreak did, with their tragic deaths in a plane crash off the coast of Massachusetts.

JFK Jr. was not just a Kennedy. From childhood, he was a national symbol photographed as a little boy in the White House, then followed into adulthood as a handsome, charismatic New York celebrity.

Carolyn Bessette, meanwhile, became a fashion icon almost overnight. Quiet, elegant, and famously private, she struggled with the sudden spotlight that came with marrying America’s “prince.”

Full cast

The supporting cast is just as headline-worthy.

– Naomi Watts plays Jackie Kennedy Onassis, JFK Jr.’s iconic mother

– Grace Gummer appears as Caroline Kennedy

– Alessandro Nivola steps into the role of legendary designer Calvin Klein

– Omari K. Chancellor plays fashion designer Gordon Henderson

Why JFK Jr still fascinates us

John F. Kennedy Jr. was more than famous. He was a fixation.

From his college days at Brown University to his high-profile relationships with Cindy Crawford, Madonna, and Sarah Jessica Parker, the cameras never stopped clicking. Even his casual walks through Central Park became news events.

Every move, every relationship, every photo was documented. The series leans into that reality, showing how fame didn’t just follow JFK Jr. It surrounded him.

When and where to watch

‘Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’ premieres February 12 on FX. The nine-episode season is executive production of Ryan Murphy, along with a long list of heavy-hitting producers. Max Winkler directed the pilot.

Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Central government over the proposed US trade deal.

He charged that, “It’s not a deal, it’s a surrender,” adding that any agreement that goes against the interests of the 70 per cent of the country’s population dependent on agriculture can never be beneficial.

Posting on social media, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that while claims are being made in Parliament about protecting agriculture and the dairy sector, the ground reality is quite different.

He said, “When the terms of the deal haven’t even been finalised or signed, how can claims of benefits be made beforehand? Every trade deal is weighed on the scales of profit and loss; the real question is, who is benefiting and who is losing?”

He further said that these claims would be taken into account in the future and, if they prove to be false, accountability would be demanded. Targeting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the SP chief said, “BJP members should not celebrate this loss. This deal is a disaster; they should not look for opportunities for corruption in it.”

Akhilesh Yadav termed the agreement a “surrender,” stating that people are even saying it appears as if a ransom of 500 billion dollars is being extorted from India. Taking a dig at supporters of the government, he said that those calling it a diplomatic victory also know that international powers are structuring the deal for their own profit and on their own terms.

The SP president said that the understanding of those calling this deal a “milestone” is questionable, and those projecting it as a symbol of the government’s dominance are themselves feeling internal pressure.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC), a Navratna – listed company under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, serves as the professional hospitality and travel arm of Indian Railways. It is dedicated to upgrading catering services and promoting rail-bound domestic and inbound tourism across the country.

The newly introduced Howrah–Kamakhya Junction and Kamakhya Junction–Howrah Sleeper Vande Bharat Express connect two of India’s most revered and culturally significant destinations. This train is redefining rail travel through a strong emphasis on passenger comfort and superior onboard services.

Drawing inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of Northeast India and Bengal, the onboard menu on this train features authentic regional flavors and the passengers are being served traditional Assamese preparations alongside popular Bengali dishes.

Building on these delights, travelers can now also enjoy chicken-based non-vegetarian meals. This addition has been warmly received by passengers in the region, offering a true culinary delight to their journey.

This enhanced meal experience elevates passenger satisfaction while promoting region-specific culinary heritage in an inclusive way. By offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian regional delicacies, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is setting a new benchmark in onboard hospitality.

A 17-member delegation of the National Defence College (NDC), including foreign military officers from Brazil, Bangladesh, Japan, France and Ethiopia, met Chief Minister Hemant Soren as part of an ongoing study tour of Jharkhand focused on national security and strategic issues.

Led by Major General Hartej Singh Bajaj, the delegation is visiting the state from February 1 to February 6 under the NDC course on National Security and Strategic Studies. The team comprises 10 Indian officers and five international course members of the Brigadier and colonel rank.

The study tour is examining Jharkhand from a socio-political and economic perspective, with particular emphasis on law and order, Left Wing Extremism and the developmental challenges of mining and industrial regions. The delegation is scheduled to visit coal mining areas in Dhanbad and the industrial hub of Jamshedpur to gain first-hand insights into the relationship between economic activity and internal security.

Officials said discussions with the Chief Minister centred on governance, security management and the state’s efforts to strike a balance between development and social stability. The visiting officers are also expected to interact with senior civil and police officials during the course of their visit.

Jharkhand has figured repeatedly in the National Defence College’s field study programme, with similar visits held in 2020 and 2023. The continued focus on the state reflects its growing relevance as a case study in internal security, resource management, and socio-political transition.

The presence of international officers has added a global dimension to the exercise, enabling comparative learning on issues of insurgency, inequality, and development pressures faced by different regions of the world.

Inputs gathered during the tour will feed into policy-oriented discussions at the National Defence College, where senior military and civil officers are trained for higher decision-making roles. Observations from Jharkhand are expected to contribute to broader national thinking on internal security planning and civil-administration coordination.

Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly has always spoken proudly about her army roots. But for the past many months, her life has been filled with court dates, prayers, anxiety, hope. Now after a long and painful wait, there is finally a small but powerful victory in her fight to bring her brother home.

For over a year, Celina Jaitly has been fighting for her brother Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly. He has been detained in the UAE since September 2024. That means more than 16 months of uncertainty.

And now, something important has finally moved.

Also Read: Celina Jaitly vs Peter Haag: What the domestic violence case claims and what happens next

According to a report shared by ANI, the Delhi High Court has passed a major order in this case. The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to officially appoint a legal firm to represent Celina’s brother in the UAE.

This order allows a UAE-based law firm to legally appear for Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi courts.

Celina’s emotional note says it all

 

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A post shared by Celina Jaitly (@celinajaitlyofficial)

As soon as the news reached her, Celina took to social media and poured her heart out.

She wrote about how the Delhi High Court “restored a soldier’s right” and upheld her brother’s dignity. Celina made it clear that this fight was about human rights, dignity, and the legal protection every citizen deserves, no matter where they are.

The UAE-based law firm, Khaled Almarri & Partners Advocates, has agreed to represent Major Vikrant completely pro bono, meaning free of cost.

In her note, Celina mentioned that this legal appointment is going to protect her brother’s rights under the Vienna Convention. This international agreement ensures that foreign nationals get proper legal access and fair treatment when detained abroad.

Celina also said she has placed full faith in the Ministry of External Affairs to take the case forward in UAE courts and work with local authorities.

Celina did not forget to thank the many lawyers, advisors, and senior legal voices who supported the case in India.

The next hearing in this case will take place on February 10. As Celina wrote, she truly believes they will bring back “our soldier who gave his entire youth in service to our nation.”

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday afternoon signed an ostentatious package to reopen the government.
“I’m thrilled to sign the Consolidated Appropriations Act to immediately reopen the federal government and fund the vast majority of operations through the rest of the fiscal year,” the President said in the Oval Office.

Trump’s signature ended the partial government shutdown after three days and funds a number of critical departments, but creates another funding cliff for the Department of Homeland Security in two weeks, CNN reported.
The US House passed a set of spending bills Tuesday (local time) that aimed to end the partial government shutdown while buying time for bipartisan talks over new accountability measures for ICE, asper Washington Post.
If failed to reach consensus in time, the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency — would have shut down on February 14. ICE operations and the agency’s other immigration efforts were sustaining on the $170 billion appropriated for Homeland Security under the Republican tax and spending law passed last year, as per The Washington Post.
“ICE and the Department of Homeland Security need to dramatically change,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) told reporters Monday. “And absent that, then a full-year appropriations bill is in deep trouble.”

The vote was 217-214. House Democrats pledged not to help House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) kick off the process of considering the legislation, though 21 voted for the final bill Tuesday afternoon. Twenty-one Republicans, meanwhile, voted no, as per Washington Post.

Trump later praised Johnson for his work in the bill signing, “Speaker Mike Johnson’s done an incredible job. Done really an incredible job and we appreciate it,” he went on to say.
“I’m happy to report Republicans got the job done,” Johnson said Tuesday afternoon. He added that leaders hope they can avoid a DHS shutdown next week, and highlighted the agency’s other functions besides immigration, as per Washington Post. “This is no time to play games with that funding. We hope that they will operate in good faith over the next 10 days as we negotiate this.”

Lust Stories Season 3: Netflix just turned up the heat again. And no, it’s not the weather. The streamer has quietly dropped the first look of Lust Stories 3, and suddenly Bollywood gossip circles are buzzing, film Twitter is wide awake, and group chats are back to arguing about “art versus boldness.”

The International Emmy-nominated anthology is officially returning for a third round, and this time, it’s bringing some serious heavyweight names along for the ride.

From award-winning directors to a cast stacked with familiar and exciting faces, Lust Stories 3 promises to dig into love, longing, secrets, and messy human emotions again. But before we jump into what’s new, let’s rewind a little.

Because if Lust Stories has taught us anything, it’s that no story exists in isolation.

About Lust Stories 3: Cast, release date, everything

Netflix has confirmed that Lust Stories 3 is in the works, and the first look is already out. The anthology format remains the same. Four short films, four different directors, and four very different takes on intimacy and relationships.

This time, the directors are Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Vishal Bhardwaj, Shakun Batra.

The cast includes Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Gurfateh Pirzada, Sana Thampi, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Siddharth.

Netflix’s official synopsis says the new season will explore lust, love, relationships, and repressed desire through “emotionally resonant” stories. Translation? Expect conversations, not comfort. Expect grey areas. And, expect characters who feel uncomfortably real.

The release date hasn’t been announced yet.

Also Read: Mismatched Season 4 announced as final chapter; Prajakta Koli, Rohit Saraf return to Netflix show | Cast, release date

Motwane’s film stars Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma. Shakun Batra teams up Ali Fazal with Radhika Madan. Kiran Rao brings together Gurfateh Pirzada and newcomer Sana Thampi. Aditi Rao Hydari leads Vishal Bhardwaj’s film.

Behind every bold story is a team of writers who make it work. Lust Stories 3 has a long list of writers, including Kiran Rao, Tanaji Dasgupta, Avinash Sampath, Sumukhi Suresh, Shakun Batra, Sameeha Sabnis, Ashwathi Namboodiri, Nitesh Bhatia, Utkarshini Vashishtha, and Vishal Bhardwaj.

Recap: Lust Stories Season 1

When Lust Stories first dropped in 2018, it wasn’t just another Netflix release. It became a cultural moment. People argued about it at dinner tables, on social media, and in opinion columns. Some praised it. Some hated it. Many couldn’t stop talking about it.

And maybe that’s the point.

Season 1 featured four directors: Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, and Karan Johar. Each story tackled desire from a very different angle.

In Kashyap’s segment, Kalindi, played by Radhika Apte, is a young college professor married to an older man who lives abroad. Encouraged by her husband to explore her sexuality, Kalindi steps into a world she’s never experienced before. What starts as curiosity slowly turns into emotional manipulation. She gets involved with a student, a colleague, and plays with boundaries without fully considering the damage left behind.

Zoya Akhtar’s segment follows Sudha, a house help who also shares a physical relationship with her employer, Ajit. To Ajit, it’s casual. To Sudha, it means something more. When marriage talks begin for Ajit, Sudha watches quietly as her place in his life disappears.

In Dibakar Banerjee’s story, Manisha Koirala plays Reena, a woman stuck in an unhappy marriage and a secret affair with her husband’s friend. When the truth threatens to come out, Reena faces a painful choice. Love doesn’t win. Fear does. The story shows how society, children, and expectations often trap people into staying where they’re miserable.

In Karan Johar’s story, let’s be honest, this is the segment that became internet history. Megha, played by Kiara Advani, is married to a kind but sexually unaware husband. Pressured to have children, ignored emotionally, Megha discovers her own pleasure. The infamous living-room scene shocked audiences, but beneath the shock was a simple message that women’s desires exist, and ignoring them has consequences.

Recap: Lust Stories Season 2

Released in 2023, Lust Stories 2 took things even further. The tone was darker. The stories more unsettling.

In ‘Made for Each Other’, a progressive grandmother believes couples should be sexually compatible before marriage. Neena Gupta’s performance was standout.

In ‘The Mirror’, story explored voyeurism, class, power. A woman secretly watches her maid and the maid’s husband blurring lines of consent and control. It was disturbing, thought-provoking, impossible to forget.

In ‘Sex With the Ex’, this one took thriller turn. Vijay Varma played a man haunted by his past choices, literally. Desire, guilt, crime collided in a story that ended on a chilling note.

In ‘Tilchatta’, perhaps the darkest of them all set in rural Rajasthan, the story showed abuse, revenge, and moral horror. It forced viewers to confront how power protects predators and how desperation can lead to terrifying decisions.

Now let us all wait for Lust Stories 3.

The government has established a comprehensive legal, institutional and policy framework for the prevention of acid attacks, punishment of offenders, protection of survivors, and their rehabilitation, implemented in coordination with States and Union Territories, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.

“Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order, investigation, prosecution and protection of citizens, including victims of acid attacks, rests with the respective State Governments and Union Territories. The State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which has replaced the Indian Penal Code with effect from 1 July 2024, acid attack has been recognised as a distinct and grave offence. Section 124(1) of the BNS provides that whoever causes grievous hurt by use of acid or similar corrosive substance shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than ten years, which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

The provision further mandates that such a fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim. Section 124(2) of the BNS criminalises the attempt to commit an acid attack and prescribes imprisonment of five to seven years along with a fine, thereby ensuring strong deterrence even where the offence does not culminate in actual grievous injury.

As per Section 396 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, every State Government, in coordination with the Central Government shall prepare a victim compensation scheme for providing funds for the purpose of compensation to the victim or his dependents who have suffered loss or injury as a result of the crime and who require rehabilitation. The section further provides that compensation payable shall be in addition to the payment of the fine to the victim.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also issued a comprehensive Advisory on 20th April 2015 on taking steps to implement the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), now BNS, expediting action in cases of acid attack, and providing treatment and compensation to victims.

India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) here.

The BCIC, launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), serves as a one-stop centre providing integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across BRICS countries, with a focus on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies.

On the occasion, a Trust Fund Agreement was signed between DPIIT and UNIDO. The Agreement was signed by Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Mr Agrim Kaushal, and Director, UNIDO, Dr Cristiano Pasini, formalising India’s participation in the BCIC framework.

The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies. Under the policy guidance of DPIIT and with technical support from UNIDO, NPC will spearhead India’s engagement with BCIC and contribute to capacity building, productivity enhancement, and the adoption of advanced manufacturing practices.

With the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 underway, the BCCI has announced the commencement of the third stage (Phase 3) of ticket sales, giving fans another chance to secure seats for matches across the tournament.

Phase 3 follows two earlier windows – Phase 1 launched on December 11, 2025, and Phase 2 on January 14, 2026 — and is expected to see strong demand as the tournament nears, with matches set to be played across India’s major cricket venues.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas said the board is working closely with the ICC to deliver the tournament “to the highest standards,” while Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia added that the response to earlier phases underlined the anticipation around the World Cup.

News

Third Stage of ticket sales commences as countdown to ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins.

Details | #T20WorldCup https://t.co/2wDPnfXCpj

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 3, 2026

How and where to buy ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 tickets (Phase 3)

Fans can buy tickets through the official ticketing platform. Once you open the ticketing link, you can browse tickets in multiple ways:

• Matches by Team
• Matches by Venue

If you choose Matches by Team, you can select your preferred team (for example, India), and the portal will automatically show all the fixtures for that team, allowing you to pick the match and proceed to ticket booking.

India match ticket status (as shown on the portal)

As per the ticketing portal at the time of checking:

• India vs USA (7 Feb, Opening match, Wankhede Stadium): Sold out
• India vs Netherlands (18 Feb, Narendra Modi Stadium): tickets available from ₹500 onwards
• India vs Namibia (12 Feb, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi): Coming Soon (price shown from ₹4000 onwards)
• India vs Pakistan (15 Feb): Coming Soon – with uncertainty continuing around the fixture

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 ticket booking process (BookMyShow login + seat selection)

To book tickets, fans can log in to the BookMyShow platform using:

• Email ID
• Google
• Mobile number
• Apple ID

After logging in, users can:

1. Select the match
2. Choose their preferred stand/seat category
3. Confirm details and proceed to payment

Important ticket details fans should know for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

• No physical tickets are required for entry.
• M-tickets will activate 48 hours before the match.
• Tickets can be transferred only after the QR code becomes active.
• Fans are advised to open the M-ticket in “Your Orders” at home or in a strong Wi-Fi/network area before heading to the stadium, ensuring quick access even if connectivity at the venue is weak.
• If you’ve booked tickets for someone else, use the “Transfer Ticket” option below the QR code. The receiver must accept the transfer for it to reflect in their account.
• Entry is QR-based: log in to BookMyShow app → Profile → Your Orders → open ticket → show the QR code at the gate mentioned on it.
• The gate name is displayed just below the QR code.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Washington, met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and discussed the broad contours of the Indo-US trade deal that was reached between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

In a social media post on ‘X’ after meeting Rubio, Jaishankar said, ‘’Delighted to meet US Secy. of State Rubio this afternoon. A wide ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues. Facets of India-US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade, energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals and technology. Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests.’’

A spokesperson for the US Secretary of State said Rubio and Jaishankar discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, exploration, mining and processing.

The two leaders welcomed the trade deal and emphasised the importance of the two democratic countries working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance their shared energy security goals.

They also expressed their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad. They acknowledged that a prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains vital to advancing the shared interests of the two countries.

Both Jaishankar and Rubio played a key role in putting back on track the trade negotiations after some acrimonious developments in bilateral ties. At one stage, when the deal appeared near impossible given the stalemate in ties, Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal undertook some quiet diplomacy with their American interlocutors and never gave up until it fructified.

Jaishankar, meanwhile, also met Treasury Secretary Bessent and later wrote on ‘X’, ‘’Had a useful discussion on advancement of India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation.’’

The American leader later wrote on ‘X’, ‘’Enjoyed today’s meeting with Minister S Jaishankar of India. During our talks, we addressed the importance of supply chains, as well as other national and economic security issues of mutual interest.’’