Tuesday, February 24

Author: TheStateLine

Bengal polls: Change of constituencies likely for some heavyweight ministers, veteran Trinamool legislators

Bengal polls: Change of constituencies likely for some heavyweight ministers, veteran Trinamool legislators

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS) As the initial process of selection of party candidates from the 294 constituencies in West Bengal for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state this year has already started, the Trinamool Congress leadership is considering changing the constituencies of some heavyweight members of the state cabinet and some veteran party legislators.Party sources said that already two rounds of closed-door meetings involving very few select leaders in the topmost structure of the party pyramid took place on Wednesday and Thursday, at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at Kalighat in Kolkata, during which initial discussions were held on the selection of the probable candidates for the Assembly polls later this year.Party sources said that some probable names of existi...
South Korea: Ex-President Yoon apologises for suffering caused by martial law but defends his decree

South Korea: Ex-President Yoon apologises for suffering caused by martial law but defends his decree

TOP STORIES, WORLD
Seoul, Feb 20 (IANS) Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday apologised for suffering caused by his short-lived imposition of martial law in late 2024 but defended that his decree was solely aimed at saving the nation.Yoon made the remarks a day after he was handed life in prison for leading an insurrection, capping a chapter that plunged the nation's democracy into the worst crisis in decades. In the statement, however, there was little indication that Yoon would appeal, Yonhap news agency reported.In the statement, Yoon disputed the Seoul Central District Court's ruling on Thursday that sentenced him to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024."It is difficult to accept the logic that troop...
<div>Radha’s all-around effort guides India to Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars final</div>

Radha’s all-around effort guides India to Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars final

SPORTS
Bangkok, Feb 20 (IANS) Captain Radha Yadav delivered a sensational all-round performance to power India A to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka A in the first semi-final of the ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 at the Terdthai Cricket Ground on Friday, sealing their place in the final in style. After India were put to bowl first, Radha's four-fer helped India A bowl out Sri Lanka A for just 118 runs in 19.4 overs. In response, India chased down the target in just 13.3 overs for the loss of five wickets, courtesy of Dinesh Vrinda's 42 off 20 and Radha's unbeaten 31. Coming in to bat after winning the toss, Sri Lanka openers Hansima Karunaratne and Sanjana Kavindi got off to a brisk start, scoring 36 runs in just four overs, but the team lost back-to-back wickets in the next two overs.San...
Ruckus in Andhra Council over irregularities in Tirumala ghee contracts

Ruckus in Andhra Council over irregularities in Tirumala ghee contracts

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Amaravati, Feb 20 (IANS) Pandemonium prevailed in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on Friday as the opposition YSR Congress Party insisted on their demand for debate on irregularities in supply of ghee for Tirumala laddu, allegedly involving Heritage Foods, a family firm of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.Alleging that the nexus between Heritage Foods and Indapur Dairy has been exposed after evidence surfaced regarding inflated contracts and reversal of disqualifications, the YSRCP sought to move adjournment motion for a debate on the issue.As Council Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju rejected the notices given by YSRCP members for adjournment motion, they tried to stall the proceedings by raising slogans.The opposition legislators were carrying pictures of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in thei...
<div>‘If someone tries to be Salim Suresh…’: Gujarat govt proposes amendments to Marriage Registration Act</div>

‘If someone tries to be Salim Suresh…’: Gujarat govt proposes amendments to Marriage Registration Act

INDIA, TOP STORIES
Gandhinagar, Feb 20 (IANS) The Bhupendra Patel government on Friday announced significant amendments to the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006, aimed at making the marriage registration process more transparent and robust while safeguarding daughters and social traditions.Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi outlined the amendments in the state Legislative Assembly under Rule 44, calling them “extremely important and sensitive” for the protection of daughters and preservation of societal structure.Under the new rules, parents will now be formally involved in the marriage registration process. “Marriage registration will now include parents, and a separate portal will be created for this purpose,” Sanghavi said.Parents will receive formal notification, and their c...
Row over loudspeaker use during Ramzan: SP alleges bias, BJP cites SC guidelines

Row over loudspeaker use during Ramzan: SP alleges bias, BJP cites SC guidelines

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) A political row erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Kamal Akhtar raised a demand in the Assembly to allow the use of loudspeakers during Iftar and Sehri in Ramzan, prompting sharp reactions from leaders across party lines.During Zero Hour, Akhtar argued that since festivals of all religions — including Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Kanwar Yatra, as well as Christian and Sikh celebrations — are observed in the state, similar consideration should be given for announcements from mosques during Ramzan.Reacting to the issue, Samajwadi Party National General Secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav alleged discrimination. “This government is against certain sections of society. It is deliberately acting against them, and that is why it takes such decisions,” he said.S...
Madhuri Dixit spends fun time with her fur babies, Dr Nene shares cute video

Madhuri Dixit spends fun time with her fur babies, Dr Nene shares cute video

ENTERTAINMENT
Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Madhuri Dixit was seen spending some quality time with her further babies, where she was seen showering then with love and warmth.In a video montage shared by her husband Dr Shriram Nene, captured many unseen fun moments of them with their pets.Taking to his social media account, Dr Nene posted a heartwarming compilation and captioned it as, “Life is just better with these two by our side. Happy Love Your Pet Day!”The video montage opens with Madhuri seated on the floor as one of their pet dogs gently places its paw in her hand, offering a cute handshake. In another clip, she is seen feeding treats to their pets while sitting on a wooden floor, and making them learn discipline and basic gestures. Another candid moment shows Dr Nene holding their ...
Aashiqui fame Anu Aggarwal spends time with underprivileged kids, says ‘compassion is a superpower’

Aashiqui fame Anu Aggarwal spends time with underprivileged kids, says ‘compassion is a superpower’

ENTERTAINMENT
Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Bollywood actress Anu Aggarwal, best remembered as the ‘Aashiqui girl’, was recently seen dedicating her time to social work and uplifting underprivileged children. The actress recently shared glimpses from her visit to a school, where she interacted warmly with young students and was seen teaching them as well.Sharing the adorable moments on social media, she captioned the post as, “Pure compassion is a superpower. With those children, every moment felt electric — I came to help, but I walked away fuller, wiser, and lit up from the inside.”In one of the pictures shared by Anu, the actress is seen dressed in a green traditional outfit, holding a microphone as she addresses a large gathering of schoolchildren dressed in blue uniforms with neatly tied ribbons. Another...
North Korea opens rare party congress with leader Kim touting economic achievements

North Korea opens rare party congress with leader Kim touting economic achievements

TOP STORIES, WORLD
Seoul, Feb 20 (IANS) North Korea has kicked off a rare party congress, state media said Friday, as leader Kim Jong-un touted economic achievements at the country's biggest political event in five years that would set major policy directions on defence and the economy."The Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) opened with splendor in Pyongyang, the capital city of the revolution," the previous day, Yonhap news agency reported quoting Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).Typically running several days, the congress sets state policy goals for the next five years on the economy, defence and diplomacy, and makes major personnel decisions.This year's congress, the highest decision-making body in North Korea and the first since 2021, will be widely watched for any signs regardi...
Delhi HC grants injunction in favour of Kajol in personality rights case

Delhi HC grants injunction in favour of Kajol in personality rights case

INDIA, TOP STORIES
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Friday passed an ad-interim injunction protecting the personality and publicity rights of Bollywood actress Kajol Devgan, restraining various entities from unauthorised use of her name, image and likeness for commercial gains and directing the removal of obscene and pornographic content published against her.A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice in the suit filed by the actress and granted interim protection, restraining the defendants from using Kajol’s photographs and other personality attributes while selling commercial merchandise without her authorisation.Justice Singh further directed the immediate takedown of pornographic and objectionable material circulated on different online platforms in her name.The Delhi High...