Friday, February 20

Author: TheStateLine

<div>Madhya Pradesh Congress begins ‘talent hunt’ for spokesperson selection</div>

Madhya Pradesh Congress begins ‘talent hunt’ for spokesperson selection

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Bhopal, Feb 16 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Monday launched a "talent hunt" programme for the selection of spokespersons to represent the party’s views and ideology at the district, division, state, and national levels.A formal announcement was made by state Congress chief Jitu Patwari during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Bhopal, stating that in the changing political landscape, the party needs ideologically committed and research-oriented colleagues who can effectively convey the Congress ideology to the public.Patwari shared that based on the applications received, interviews will be conducted at the division level. In these interviews, the AICC-designated coordinator, members of the talent hunt committee, senior Congress leaders, and the res...
India’s progress in AI will contribute to global advancement: PM Modi

India’s progress in AI will contribute to global advancement: PM Modi

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) India’s progress in AI will not only shape transformative solutions for the nation but also contribute to global advancement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, as he inaugurated the 'India AI Impact Expo 2026' at Bharat Mandapam here.PM Modi said that being here among innovators, researchers and tech enthusiasts gives a glimpse of the extraordinary potential of AI, Indian talent and innovation. "Together, we will shape solutions not just for India but for the world," the Prime Minister added.The Expo is being held with India AI Impact Summit, the first global AI gathering to be hosted in the Global South, and is witnessing unprecedented participation, with over 20 heads of state, 60 ministers, and 500 global AI leaders. Bringing together policymakers, te...
<div>Pakistan’s stance on ISF remains opaque as Sharif travels to Washington</div>

Pakistan’s stance on ISF remains opaque as Sharif travels to Washington

TOP STORIES, WORLD
Islamabad, Feb 16 (IANS) As US President Donald Trump prepares to share details regarding United Nations-approved stabilisation force for Gaza, Pakistan has not revealed its stance on whether it would send its troops for International Stabilised Force (ISF), the local media reported on Monday. On Sunday, Trump stated that member states of Board of Peace have committed to send thousands of personnel for ISF ahead of the first meeting scheduled for February 19 in Washington. However, officials in Pakistan have neither confirmed nor denied about Pakistan's potential participation in ISF.Trump is expected to present a reconstruction plan for Gaza and reveal the structure and mandate of the ISF. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to participate in the first formal meeting of the Boa...
<div>Meghalaya’s economy nearly doubled since 2018: Guv</div>

Meghalaya’s economy nearly doubled since 2018: Guv

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Shillong, Feb 16 (IANS) Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on Monday said the state’s economy has nearly doubled over the last seven years, underlining that sustained high growth reflects the resilience of its people and the government’s long-term development vision.Addressing the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the Governor said the state recorded an impressive 9.66 per cent real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth in 2024-25, making it the second fastest-growing state in the country after Tamil Nadu.“Meghalaya is the only state to sustain an average 10 per cent growth for two consecutive years after the Covid pandemic. Our economy has grown from Rs 29,508 crore to Rs 59,626 crore in 2025,” he said, describing the performance as exceptional.Vijayashankar ...
Farah Khan reveals Sameera Reddy was her choice before Sushmita Sen for Main Hoon Na

Farah Khan reveals Sameera Reddy was her choice before Sushmita Sen for Main Hoon Na

ENTERTAINMENT
Mumbai Feb 16 (IANS) Filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan in her YouTube vlogs has revealed that she had once considered casting actress Sameera Reddy for the classic role eventually played by Sushmita Sen in her 2004 directorial debut “Main Hoon Na”.In a recent conversation with Sameera Reddy on Farah Khan's YouTube channel, the filmmaker recalled that she had first noticed Sameera in her popular music video titled Ahista.Nobody knows but I had considered you for Main Hoon Na in Sushmita Sen’s role. I had seen your song, ‘Aahista Kijiye Baatein’ and you were dressed in Indian wear,” said Farah.Responding to Farah’s revelation, a surprised Sameera asked, “Oh My God! I want to know why you didn’t take me.”To this, Farah replied that circumstances had changed by then. “Because by then you ha...
Tash Farrant retires due to prolonged back injury, ends career at 29

Tash Farrant retires due to prolonged back injury, ends career at 29

SPORTS
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) England international and Surrey left-arm seamer Tash Farrant has prematurely ended her professional cricket career at age 29 due to her inability to fully recover from a recurring back injury that has troubled her for years.Farrant, who played for Surrey County Cricket Club and the Oval Invincibles in domestic competitions, has been managing the injury since it first appeared four years ago. The problem initially sidelined her for a full year and has consistently affected her ability to sustain the physical demands required in professional cricket.Farrant displayed prodigious talent from a young age and was the youngest player on England's squad that won the Ashes during the 2013–14 Australia tour, marking her early debut for England women's cricket. She later bec...
Congress holds ‘Jan Akrosh Sabha’ in Gujarat as Budget session begins

Congress holds ‘Jan Akrosh Sabha’ in Gujarat as Budget session begins

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Gandhinagar, Feb 16 (IANS) The Congress on Monday held a ‘Jan Akrosh Sabha’ in Gandhinagar against the Centre’s proposal to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, coinciding with the opening of the Gujarat Assembly’s budget session.​​Organised by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, the rally was attended by senior leaders, MLAs, MPs, and party workers, along with farmers, tribal representatives, health workers who have allegedly not received salaries for four months, families affected by demolition drives, and members of voluntary organisations.​Addressing the gathering, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik alleged widespread distress among farmers, rising unemployme...
<div>Workers’ strike disrupts flights at Kenya’s main airport</div>

Workers’ strike disrupts flights at Kenya’s main airport

TOP STORIES, WORLD
Nairobi, Feb 16 (IANS) Kenyan aviation authorities on Monday assured travellers that contingency measures have been put in place to restore normal operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport following flight disruptions caused by a workers' strike.The labour dispute between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), which began early Monday, caused delays to several flights, leaving passengers stranded at the airport. The disruption has affected airlines, travelers and businesses at the facility, one of Africa's busiest aviation hubs, which handles millions of passengers and large volumes of cargo annually."Contingency plans have been activated. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for schedule updates," the Kenya Airports...
CM Mohan Yadav inaugurates cyber registration office in Bhopal

CM Mohan Yadav inaugurates cyber registration office in Bhopal

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Bhopal, Feb 16 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said that the state government is making all efforts to promote transparency, promptness and public welfare in administrative functioning alongside development.The Chief Minister made this statement after inaugurating the cyber registration office at Registration Bhawan in Bhopal.Addressing the programme, Yadav stated that the government is encouraging paperless and cashless processes, which will be significant for environmental sustainability and transparency for the new generation.“Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to initiate cyber registration for more than 75 services, including loans, Mukhtyarnama, mining leases, affidavits, power of attorney and partnership deeds, through the digital revolution,” he said.The...
<div>More businesspersons in newly-elected Bangladesh parliament, members’ average age 59 years: Reports</div>

More businesspersons in newly-elected Bangladesh parliament, members’ average age 59 years: Reports

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) Among the newly elected lawmakers in the Bangladesh Parliament, those associated with businesses comprise the highest number, while in age, the total average works out to around 59 years, according to separate reports in Bangladeshi media on Monday."Businesspersons will make up more than half of the new parliament, according to affidavits filed with the Election Commission during the election," The Daily Star reported.Altogether, 178 lawmakers declared "business" as their profession in their affidavits, where, except for two of them who did not declare their incomes, the average annual income of these lawmakers was Tk 1 crore (over Rs 74 lakh), it added.The second-largest group identified by the newspaper is lawyers, with 40 of them elected to parliament. Their ave...