Author: TheStateLine

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

India now has market access to 70 pc of global GDP at mostly zero duty: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) India now has market access to 70 per cent of global GDP, in most cases at zero duty for domestic products, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.Speaking at an event here, Goyal said that nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have been concluded in the last three years, covering 38 countries with strong per capita incomes, and most developed markets now have trade arrangements with India.“Agreements include the 27-nation EU bloc, four-nation EFTA bloc, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the United States of America, while Japan and Korea were concluded earlier, along with ASEAN nations,” the minister said.He also urged medtech startups to look beyond the domestic market, leverage India’s expanding trade agreements covering nearly 70 per ce...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Puducherry has potential to emerge as major marine gateway of India: L-G Kailashnathan

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Puducherry, Feb 12 (IANS) Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan on Thursday said the union territory has the potential to emerge as a major marine export gateway of India and evolve into a model marine economy, provided it strengthens value addition and modernises fisheries infrastructure.Inaugurating a two-day international workshop on 'Marine Fisheries Value Chain in the Bay of Bengal Region: Puducherry as Destination', he highlighted the UT's strategic advantages -- its coastline, port connectivity, skilled human resources and expanding processing ecosystem.“Karaikal, the only harbour-centric production and processing hub on India’s East Coast, places Puducherry in a strong position to become a major export gateway, especially when nearly 97 per cent of the country’s exports m...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

T20 WC: ‘India should not change their high-risk, high-reward approach,’ says Parthiv ahead of team’s Namibia clash

SPORTS

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) Ahead of India’s crucial World Cup campaign, former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel provided insightful analysis on the team’s recent batting collapse against the USA and the challenges they face against emerging bowling attacks. He broke down India’s approach, individual performances, and tactical nuances they need to focus on going forward. Reflecting on India’s top-order struggle in the match versus the USA, Parthiv emphasised the importance of maintaining India’s aggressive philosophy despite setbacks. “India should not change their approach at all. Going into this World Cup, India had a philosophy of playing high-risk, high-reward cricket. Yes, it did not work against the USA, who were very well prepared against Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. I think the ...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

NCB secures 15-year jail term for four traffickers held with ganja in UP

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Lucknow, Feb 12 (IANS) A Special NDPS Court in Uttar Pradesh sentenced four drug traffickers, including one each from Gujarat and Odisha, to 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment in connection with the seizure of 601 kg ganja in 2018, an NCB official said on Thursday.In June 2018, the traffickers were apprehended at Zadeswar Chowkdi, Bharuch, Uttar Pradesh, with over 601 kg of ganja in their possession, said an NCB statement.The Special Court, Bharuch, sentenced Pramod Kumar and Shishupal from Bulandshahar, UP; Manish Harish Bhai from Bharuch, Gujarat, and Kamal Lochan Shamal from Ganjam, Odisha to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment.The Special Court also slapped a fine of Rs one lakh each on the four convicts, the statement said.Earlier on Tuesday, the NCB, Gorakhpur Zonal Unit, received a shot ...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Karnataka govt reviews proposal to host IPL opener in Bengaluru, Cabinet to take final call

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Bengaluru, Feb 12 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Thursday held a high-level meeting with representatives of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and senior officials to discuss the proposal to host the IPL inaugural match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. A final decision will be announced after the State Cabinet meeting in the evening.The meeting, chaired by Home Minister G. Parameshwara at Vidhana Soudha, assumes significance as the iconic stadium was barred from hosting matches following the June 4, 2025, stampede during celebrations of RCB’s maiden IPL title, in which 11 people lost their lives.Among those present were Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Tushar Girinath, DGP and IGP M.A. Saleem, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Commissioner...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Bangladesh elections: BNP promises strong ties with neighbouring countries if voted to power

YSRCP accuses Naidu of ‘doublespeak’ on Tirupati laddu ghee quality, price

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Tirupati, Feb 12 (IANS) YSR Congress Party on Thursday slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for what it calls his doublespeak on the price and quality of ghee supply for the preparation of Tirupati laddu during his earlier term in the post.Interacting with media here, YSRCP leader and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's (TTD) former Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said while Chandrababu Naidu has been questioning how quality ghee can be supplied for less than Rs 300 per kg, it was the manufacturing unit of his family-owned Heritage Foods that supplied ghee at Rs 278 per kg during his earlier term (2014-2019).The manufacturing unit of Heritage Foods, called Indapur Foods and Dairy Products, had supplied a large quantity of ghee for prices varying from Rs 278 to Rs 306 dur...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Uproar in Bihar Legislative Council over law and order situation, remark against RSS expunged

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Patna, Feb 12 (IANS) A major uproar erupted in the Bihar Legislative Council on the issue of law and order after RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui's remarks referencing the RSS drew strong objections from ruling party members, after which the Chairman ordered for expunging the comments.Raising concerns over the law and order situation in the state, Siddiqui triggered a detailed response from Home Minister Samrat Choudhary, who placed crime statistics on record.The Minister stated that cognisable crime cases have increased significantly over the years, rising from 1,15,216 cases in 2004 to nearly 3.52 lakh cases in 2024.Providing a crime-wise breakdown, Choudhary said theft cases increased from 11,518 in 2004 to 22,760 in 2024, while other categories of crime also showed an upward trend.Addres...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Cricket Namibia chief Rudie van Vuuren lauds ICC chairman Jay Shah for strengthening associate nations

SPORTS

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) Cricket Namibia President Rudie van Vuuren has praised the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Chairman Jay Shah for their efforts in empowering associate nations and improving cricket infrastructure. Eight Associate Nations -- Italy, Canada, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, UAE, USA -- are competing at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. "The ICC has adopted a policy of empowering associate members. Jay Shah has really brought significant change there. He was in Windhoek visiting our new stadium and how the ICC has helped us develop that facility. Now, all of a sudden, we have those high-performance facilities. "Africa has nations like Namibia coming through because of the ICC’s backing, so that gap will become sma...

Feb122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

‘If I reveal everything…’, Raju Karpada attacks AAP leadership a day after resigning

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Rajkot, Feb 12 (IANS) A day after resigning from all posts, Raju Karpada, former president of the Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party’s farmer wing, levelled serious allegations on Thursday against the party’s senior leadership, accusing it of neglect and internal sabotage.Addressing a press conference in Rajkot, Karpada claimed that the party failed to extend legal assistance when he and other farmer activists were jailed following a protest in Botad district.“I, and several fellow farmers, were in custody, yet the senior leadership remained completely inactive. Despite assurances that skilled lawyers would represent us in the High Court, not a single lawyer appeared at the first hearing. It felt as though the party was trying to trap me rather than support me,” he said.Karpada further alleged that t...