Thursday, February 26

Author: TheStateLine

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slams Bengal counterpart Mamata over law and order; Trinamool hits back

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slams Bengal counterpart Mamata over law and order; Trinamool hits back

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Kolkata, Feb 22 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday launched a sharp attack on her West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, alleging deterioration in law and order and claiming that people in the state have made up their minds to remove the Trinamool Congress from power in the upcoming Assembly elections.Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an event in Kolkata, the BJP leader criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led government over alleged atrocities against women and what she described as “politics of hooliganism”.“I think that the politics of terrorism, hooliganism and greed will come to an end in West Bengal. This election will bring about a change in Bengal. The way people are being tortured here, the way the honour of sisters and daughters is at stake, the way people ...
Holi sales likely to record 25 per cent jump at Rs 80,000 crore: CAIT

Holi sales likely to record 25 per cent jump at Rs 80,000 crore: CAIT

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said on Sunday that the upcoming Holi festival is expected to generate business exceeding Rs 80,000 crore across India this year, reflecting a growth of nearly 25 per cent compared to last year's estimated Rs 60,000 crore.He noted that due to the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote "Vocal for Local", India-made products are dominating the markets this Holi. Herbal gulal, natural colours, pichkaris, balloons, pooja materials, sandalwood, apparel and various festive items manufactured in India are witnessing strong demand, whereas Chinese goods have significantly declined in the market since 2021."Along with Holi-specific items, markets are witnessing high demand for sw...
T20 WC: ‘Knew we have to bowl well and work hard,’ says Jacks after match-winning 3-22 vs SL

T20 WC: ‘Knew we have to bowl well and work hard,’ says Jacks after match-winning 3-22 vs SL

SPORTS
Colombo, Feb 22 (IANS) Will Jacks reflected on a clinical all-round performance after guiding England to a commanding 51-run win over Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Jacks picked up three crucial wickets as a comprehensive effort by the bowlers saw England defending a modest total of 146.“We're buzzing with that. At the halfway stage, we were pleased to get up to 145, but obviously, we knew we were going to have to bowl well and work hard. And we had such a brilliant start in the powerplay, Jof got us off to a good start. And then we managed to continue taking wickets all the way throughout,” Jacks said during the post-match presentation after receiving the Player of the Match award.England’s bowlers delivered exactly what was required, dismantling Sri L...
Pakistan poverty rate hits 11-year high at 29 pc: Report

Pakistan poverty rate hits 11-year high at 29 pc: Report

TOP STORIES, WORLD
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Poverty in Pakistan has risen to its highest level in 11 years, with nearly 29 per cent of the population now living below the poverty line, according to an official survey released by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.The report cited by The Express Tribune showed that around 70 million people are living in extreme poverty, based on a monthly poverty line of Rs 8,484, which is considered the minimum amount needed to meet basic needs.The preliminary findings for the fiscal year 2024-25 reveal that poverty has increased by 32 per cent since 2018-19, when the last survey was conducted.In 2019, the poverty rate stood at 21.9 per cent. During the first year of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s current government, the rate jumped to 28.9 per cent.This is the highest level sin...
T20 WC: Skid on pitch suits bowling style ahead of clash against SA, says Chakaravarthy

T20 WC: Skid on pitch suits bowling style ahead of clash against SA, says Chakaravarthy

SPORTS
Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (IANS) Ahead of India playing South Africa in their first Super Eights clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy explained that the skid on the pitch suits his bowling style and noted the surface at Narendra Modi Stadium has changed since their last meeting in December 2025.Against South Africa, Chakaravarthy has picked 22 wickets in eight T20Is, including his best bowling figures of 5-17 in Gqeberha in 2024. As of now, Chakaravarthy has nine wickets in four matches at an economy of 5.2 and a strike rate of 8, placing him joint second on the tournament’s wicket-taking charts behind USA pacer Shadley Van Schalkwyk."Well, those matches were played a month before, and obviously, things have changed after that, but I would say the wicket did...
<div>Farhan Akhtar marks 4 years of marital bliss with the woman ‘who makes everything feel better’</div>

Farhan Akhtar marks 4 years of marital bliss with the woman ‘who makes everything feel better’

ENTERTAINMENT
Mumbai, Feb 22 (IANS) Actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar celebrated 4 years of marital bliss with the woman 'who makes everything feel better', wife Shibani Akhtar, with a special social media post.Farhan took to his Insta handle and dropped some romantic couple photos with his better half.He also penned a heartfelt note on the photo-sharing app, saying, "To the woman who makes everything feel better.. happy fourth anniversary Shu .. love you @shibaniakhtar (sic)."The primary picture in the post showed Farhan placing a kiss on Shibani's cheeks.This was followed by an adorable selfie of the lovebirds posing in matching night suits.endlessly. (sic)"The final click had Farhan and Shibani, making an elegant couple as they faced the camera while standing on the stairs.Not just Farhan, but Shiban...
T20 WC: Windies coach Sammy defends pre-seeding for Super 8s, says it helps fans plan their itinerary

T20 WC: Windies coach Sammy defends pre-seeding for Super 8s, says it helps fans plan their itinerary

SPORTS
Mumbai, Feb 22 (IANS) Well before they started their campaigns in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the top teams were aware of which group they would be placed in if they qualified for the Super Eight stage of the 2026 edition of the mega event.That was because the top teams were pre-seeded into Super Eight Group 1 and Super Eight Group 2 and thus knew their opponents well in advance, well before they reached the group of eight of the tournament.For this edition, India were X1, Australia X2, West Indies X3 and South Africa X4 and were placed in Super Eight Group 1, while England was Y1, New Zealand Y2, Pakistan Y3 and Sri Lanka Y4 and were slotted in Group 2. Only Australia failed to make it to the Super 8s, and their spot went to Zimbabwe, putting them in Group 1 alongside hosts and d...
<div>Army’s Central Command honours 18 ‘Veer Naris’ at Dogra Regimental Centre in Ayodhya</div>

Army’s Central Command honours 18 ‘Veer Naris’ at Dogra Regimental Centre in Ayodhya

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Ayodhya, Feb 22 (IANS) At the 18th Reunion of the Indian Army's Dogra Regiment, the Dogra Regimental Centre in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, paid a heartfelt tribute to 18 'Veer Naris' (widows of Armed Forces personnel), honouring the enduring spirit of sacrifice and service that defines the Regiment's glorious legacy, an official said on Sunday."The solemn ceremony was graced by Rita Vij, the wife of former Chief of Army Staff General Nirmal Chander Vij, and Lakshmi Bhuvan, the wife of Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan," the official said in a statement."The 'Veer Naris' were felicitated as a mark of deep respect and gratitude. The occasion reflected shared military traditions, unbreakable bonds and the timeless ethos of "Duty Before Self". More than life partners of Brave Hearts, these 'Veer ...
<div>PM’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ boosts organ donation awareness: NOTTO chief</div>

PM’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ boosts organ donation awareness: NOTTO chief

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Emphasising the life-saving impact of organ donation, National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) Director Anil Kumar on Sunday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal in the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat as a “noble campaign” that can transform public awareness and participation across the country.Speaking to IANS, after the 131st edition of the monthly broadcast, Anil Kumar said the Prime Minister’s decision to spotlight real-life transplant success stories, including the case of a 10-month-old child whose organs saved four lives, sends a powerful message to society."This is a truly noble campaign, for which we are deeply grateful to the Prime Minister. By presenting such inspiring examples before the nation, he has highlighted the urgent ne...
Gautam Adani reviews Rs 43,000 crore power projects in Jharkhand, Bihar

Gautam Adani reviews Rs 43,000 crore power projects in Jharkhand, Bihar

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (IANS) Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday reviewed major power projects of the group in eastern India.During his visit to Godda in Jharkhand, Gautam Adani inspected the 1,600 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant built with an investment of over Rs 16,000 crore.The project, located in a tribal-dominated area, has created thousands of direct and indirect jobs and improved rail connectivity in the region.The power plant supplies electricity exclusively to Bangladesh under a long-term agreement, giving it cross-border importance.The Adani Group Chairman also visited Bihar, where the Group is planning a 2,400 MW ultra-supercritical power project at Pirpainti near Bhagalpur.The proposed project involves an investment of over Rs 27,000 crore and is expected to be ...