The atmosphere was electric at Vadodara’s BCA Stadium as Delhi Capitals won the toss in their must-win WPL 2026 match against table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru, electing to chase on Saturday evening. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues was clear on her strategy: ‘Lights will make the ball skid nicely, and dew could play a part. We’ve studied the pitch—it might keep low, but we’re prepared.’ Two tweaks in the lineup see Chinelle Henry in for Lucy Hamilton and Minnu Mani replacing the injured Deepta. Smriti Mandhana of RCB revealed they fancied bowling too, but wind might keep dew at bay. ‘Batting first suits…
Author: News Analysis India
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Jharkhand’s push for industrial revival took center stage as Chief Minister Hemant Soren engaged in high-level talks with the Naveen Jindal Group’s delegation during his London visit. Following up on their Ranchi meeting dated January 2, 2026, the discussions delved deep into strategies for investment in critical areas like steel, sustainable energy, education, and workforce skilling. Prioritizing eco-conscious growth, the two sides pledged joint efforts to advance green industries in Jharkhand. The industrialist group articulated plans to pour investments into steel plants, clean power projects, and electricity networks, while underscoring the need for environmental safeguards and community welfare. The conversation…
Lucknow erupted with political rhetoric as Akhilesh Yadav, SP president, used the Avimukteshwaranand episode to pillory the Yogi administration and cast doubts on the Election Commission’s neutrality. In a detailed Saturday briefing, Yadav wove religious symbolism with electoral grievances, painting a picture of systemic sabotage. ‘Those chanting Kalanemi’s name, name Kaliyug’s demons,’ he proclaimed, implying government figures embody destructive forces. Accusations flew thick: religious matters politicized, SIR shrouded in secrecy, parties excluded from voter notice details. Yadav alleged EC-government nexus enables poll irregularities. Promised no deletions post-SIR? Bypolls exposed rigged votes, ignored CCTV, untrained BLOs dying without repercussions. Duplicates plague…
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads where religion is increasingly dictating the political narrative, especially as elections loom. A damning report exposes how nearly every party is leveraging faith-based appeals, from heavenly rewards to Sharia enforcement, to capture votes in a nation striving for progress. Published on a prominent Bangla news portal, the piece cites TIB research attributing this surge to prolonged democratic deficits, homegrown extremism, and external radical influences. Election rallies have become spectacles of piety: politicians in traditional garb preaching divine favor for their ballots. Jamaat-e-Islami faces particular scrutiny for peddling ‘paradise passes’ via party symbols, a tactic decried…
A bold challenge has reached India’s top court against the UGC’s latest push for campus equity. The Promotions of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, notified just weeks ago on January 13, is under fire through a PIL that brands Rule 3(C) as capricious and violative of constitutional norms. Petitioners contend that under the guise of promoting equality, this provision discriminates against non-reserved categories, potentially excluding them from educational opportunities. It allegedly undermines Articles 14, 19, and 21, and contradicts the spirit of the 1956 UGC Act, which prioritizes fair access to higher learning. The regulations’ broader goal is…
In a pointed critique on the 102nd birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, Bihar Agriculture Minister Ramkripal Yadav accused the RJD leadership of hypocrisy. ‘Lalu Yadav and his party are the very people crushing Jananayak Karpoori Thakur’s noble thoughts,’ he declared sharply from Patna. The controversy erupted as RJD marked the occasion at its Patna office with Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav leading the tributes. Floral offerings and speeches filled the air, but Yadav dismissed it as mere posturing. Recalling history, he noted Lalu’s role in installing Thakur as Chief Minister, only to claim that today’s RJD has abandoned…
The stage is set in New Delhi for a landmark moment in India-EU relations. European heavyweights, including Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, have arrived for India’s Republic Day and an EU-India summit, fueling expectations of a breakthrough on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Malta’s High Commissioner Ruben Gauci, in a candid conversation, labeled this prospective pact as the ‘Mother of All Deals’. Gauci’s enthusiasm stems from recent high-level engagements that have accelerated talks. He pointed to an early February visit by the European Commission chief’s representative as a turning point. ‘That visit truly advanced the EU-India FTA discussions,’…
RANCHI: Jharkhand’s prominent minister Irfan Ansari traveled to New Delhi for a high-level courtesy call on Imran Pratapgarhi, head of Congress minorities department, on Saturday. Their talks covered pressing political matters and the welfare of minority groups across India. Through a press release, Ansari detailed the focal points: the imperative to organize minority communities effectively in today’s polarized environment. He sharply criticized the BJP’s social media campaigns for confusing young minds and promoting divisive politics that erode democratic foundations. A major agenda item was evaluating minority conditions in politically crucial states like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh. Consensus emerged…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off National Girl Child Day with an inspiring post on X, sending greetings to girls across India and reiterating the government’s resolve to empower them. Observed every January 24, this day spotlights the vital role of girls in nation’s progress. PM Modi noted the significant strides made in the last 10 years, including enhanced focus on education, skills training, and health services. ‘This has built a nurturing ecosystem for girls to flourish and play a key role in Developed India,’ he wrote. Joining the chorus, Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi invoked the mantra…
The global footprint of India’s UPI is expanding rapidly, with Japan emerging as the next frontier. Nikkei Asia reports that after partnering with NTT Data, NPCI plans UPI trials in Japan starting fiscal 2026, targeting the booming influx of Indian tourists. Indian visitors will soon pay at Japanese stores using familiar UPI apps, with instant deductions from Indian banks. This interoperability project links Japan’s payment networks with India’s robust UPI infrastructure. Tourism data highlights the urgency: 315,000 Indians traveled to Japan in 2025, up 35% year-on-year. McKinsey forecasts India’s international trips exploding to 90 million by 2040, fueled by affluent…