Amid growing concerns over the evolving situation in Iran, several Indian students—particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir—have expressed their desire to return home but say they are unable to do so because of upcoming examinations scheduled for March, news agency ANI reported. #WATCH | Tehran, Iran: On the situation in Iran, Mohammad Momin Khan, President of J&K All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) says, "The Indian High Commission in Tehran issued an advisory, in which they have asked their citizens to return. However, we have received… pic.twitter.com/s4e5ow344O — ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026 Many of these students are enrolled in medical programmes at universities across Iran. According to them, their institutions have not announced any postponement of exams despite the current uncertainty. This has placed students in a difficult position: either stay back to complete exams or return to India and risk losing an academic year. The uncertainty has also led to significant psychological stress among students and worry for their families. The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has formally raised the matter with the Central government. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the association urged immediate intervention, requesting that the Indian government coordinate with Iranian authorities and universities to explore the possibility of postponing examinations so students can safely return home without jeopardising their academic progress, ANI reported. Bilal Bhat, an Indian student currently studying in Iran, told ANI over Zoom that anxiety levels among students have risen sharply in recent weeks. “We want to come back home. Our families are worried. But our exams are scheduled in March and there is no clarity on postponement. If we miss exams, it will affect our academic year,” he said. Another student, Musafid, echoed the concerns of his peers. Iran-US Tensions: 'Flights are operational, but we don’t know what may happen next' “We are constantly monitoring the situation. Flights are operational, but we don’t know what may happen next. Our only concern is safety and our studies,” he said, highlighting the dilemma faced by many pursuing professional degrees abroad. Mohammad Momin Khan, President of J&K AIMSA, said the association has formally approached the Prime Minister’s Office seeking urgent assistance. He emphasised that students are not requesting immediate evacuation at this stage, but are seeking diplomatic intervention to ensure academic schedules are adjusted if necessary. Families of students back home are closely monitoring developments, hoping for clarity in the coming days. Meanwhile, many students remain in a wait-and-watch mode, balancing academic responsibilities with safety concerns amid the uncertain geopolitical situation. (With ANI inputs)
24 February,2026 06:16 PM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should scrap the Indo-US trade deal, which he described as being against the interests of Indian farmers. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the Kisan Mahachaupal farmers rally in Bhopal, said, "After the US Supreme Court ruling on the trade deal, I challenge PM Modi to scrap it," as cited by news agency PTI. Gandhi also added, “The Indo-US trade deal is against the interests of our farmers and was done by PM Modi under pressure." The Congress leader also said that he was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha after the President's address. Talking about former army chief Gen Naravane's memoir, Gandhi said that the decision to go to war is a political decision and not a military one. Earlier during the Parliamentary budget session 2026, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited former Army Chief MM Naravane’s “unreleased memoir” to claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shed responsibility during the India-China conflict in 2020 and passed the buck on to Naravane. Rahul Gandhi, while speaking in Lok Sabha, held up Naravane’s unreleased memoir and said he would like the youngsters in India to know that this ‘book’ exists despite the government claiming otherwise. “Every youngster in India should read this book,” he added. The former Congress president also said that Naravane has written the full account of what happened in Ladakh. “This book clearly states that when the Chinese army had entered our border, in such a critical moment, the army chief was made to wait. And when the time came to make a decision, the PM simply said, 'Jo aapko uchit lage woh kijiye,' Gandhi further asserted. Rahul Gandhi exchanges words with Ravneet Bittu Rahul Gandhi exchanged barbs with former party colleague and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu in the Parliament premises. In a video, Gandhi was heard calling Bittu “a traitor", and the minister retorted with the “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation) jibe. The incident took place right outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar. As soon as Gandhi was about to speak, Bittu passed by and remarked, “The suspended Congress MPs are sitting here as if they have won a war." Gandhi hit back, “There is a traitor walking right by." (With inputs from PTI)
24 February,2026 06:05 PM IST | Bhopal | mid-day online correspondentThe Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal of Kerala government to change the name of the state to Keralam, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its first meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new PMO complex. The Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister approved the proposal for alterating the name of state of Kerala as 'Keralam', Vaishnaw said. After approval of Union Cabinet, the president of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After receipt of the views of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the government of India will obtain the recommendation of the president for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to alter the name of Kerala as 'Keralam' in Parliament, an official release said. The Legislative Assembly of Kerala passed a resolution on June 24, 2024 to alter the name of Kerala to 'Keralam'. "The name of our State is 'Keralam' in Malayalam Language. States were formed on the basis of language on the 1st day of November, 1956. The Kerala Piravi Day is also on the 1st day of November. "Since the time of National Independence Struggle, there has been a strong demand for the formation of United Kerala for the people speaking Malayalam language. But in the First Schedule to the Constitution the name of our State is recorded as 'Kerala'. This Assembly unanimously appeals to the Central Government to take urgent steps as per Article 3 of the Constitution for modifying the name as 'Keralam'", the Kerala Assembly resolution read. Thereafter, the Kerala government requested the central government to take necessary steps to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution by altering the name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' according to Article 3 of the Constitution. The Article 3 of the Constitution provides for alteration of names of existing states. According to Article 3, Parliament may by law alter the name of any state. Further proviso to Article 3 states that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the president and unless where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the states, the Bill has been referred by the president to the legislature of that state for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference or within such further period as the president may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired. The matter regarding alteration of the name Kerala as Keralam was considered in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and with the approval of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the draft note for the Cabinet for the alteration of name of Kerala as Keralam was circulated to the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice for their comments. The Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice have concurred with the proposal for the alteration of name of Kerala' as 'Keralam'. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
24 February,2026 06:02 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIMaharashtra is among the key states as the Central Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved Rs 9,072 crore railway expansion projects. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three Railway Ministry projects worth around Rs 9,072 crore. The projects include doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur rail section and laying of third and fourth lines on the Punarakh-Kiul and Gamharia-Chandil sections. According to the government, the projects will expand the Indian Railways network by about 307 kilometres. The works will cover eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Officials said the improved rail network will enhance connectivity for nearly 5,407 villages with a combined population of around 98 lakh people, according to the PTI. The additional lines are expected to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency and make train services more reliable. The Railway Ministry said the projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on multi-modal connectivity and better logistics planning, as per the PTI. The upgraded routes will also improve access to tourist destinations such as the Kachnar Shiv Temple, Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Dhuandhar Falls, Chandil Dam and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, among others, the news agency reported. Freight and economic benefits The routes are important for transporting commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, fertilisers and foodgrains. The ministry said the increased capacity will allow additional freight movement of about 52 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). It added that railways, being an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport, will help reduce logistics costs and cut oil imports by around six crore litres. Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to fall by nearly 30 crore kilograms, which the government said is equivalent to planting one crore trees, the PTI reported. Focus on self-reliance The ministry stated that the railway projects are part of the government’s vision of building a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by creating better infrastructure and increasing employment and self-employment opportunities in the region, as per the PTI. Further implementation steps will now be taken by the Union Railway Ministry, the officials said. (with PTI inputs)
24 February,2026 05:08 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThree people went missing after a car fell into a canal of the Jayakwadi Dam near Paithan town in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district of Maharashtra, police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. The incident took place at around 11 pm on Monday near a college in Changatpuri village of Paithan. According to an official from Paithan Police Station, the car was travelling from Koradgaon in Ahilyanagar district towards Paithan when the driver reportedly took a wrong route. On realising the mistake, the driver began reversing the vehicle. However, he lost control and the car fell from a bridge into the right canal of the dam. Three missing, driver safe Two passengers, identified as Mukid Shaikh (35) and Nilofar Shaikh (30), went missing in the water. Raosaheb Khedkar, a local resident who rushed to help them, is also missing, as per the PTI, The driver, Altaf Pathan, managed to escape from the submerged vehicle safely, police said. Search operation continues A search and rescue operation has been launched to trace the three missing persons. Police and local authorities are continuing efforts to locate them, the news agency reported. Further details are awaited. Motorcycle rider crushed to death by tractor in Maharashtra's Beed Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 36-year-old motorcyclist was crushed to death under a sugarcane-laden tractor in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said on Tuesday, the news agency reported. The accident occurred at Dhondrai cross road in Georai tehsil on Sunday evening. The man had gone to meet his relatives and was returning to his village on his motorcycle when the speeding tractor rammed into his two-wheeler. He then fell off the motorcycle and was run over by the tractor's wheels, an official from Georai police station said, as per the PTI. The man sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival, the police said. The tractor driver fled the spot after the accident. (with PTI inputs)
24 February,2026 04:46 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentOn Day 2 of Maharashtra Budget Session 2026 on Tuesday, Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis tabled supplementary demands of Rs 11,995.33 crore in the legislative assembly, news agency PTI reported. The annual budget for 2026-27 will be presented on March 6. The highest allocation of Rs 4,066 crore is proposed for the energy, labour, industries, and mining sectors. Maharashtra Budget Session 2026: What is supplementary demand? A supplementary demand is an additional budgetary grant requested by the government from the legislature during the financial year. This demand is over and above the authorised annual budget, to cover unforeseen, additional, or new expenditure arising within the financial year. The total expenditure on the revenue account is Rs 5,748.10 crore, while the capital account expenditure stands at Rs 6,003.79 crore, as per the demands presented in the House. Of the Rs 11,995.33 crore, an allocation of Rs 4,066 crore has been proposed for the energy, labour, industries and mining sectors, reported PTI. Of this, Rs 3,262 crore is earmarked for the power sector alone, while Rs 803 crore has been set aside for village and small industries. The industries, energy, labour, and mining departments have sought a total of Rs 5,840 crore under the supplementary demands. Furthermore, the rural development department has sought Rs 71.03 crore, of which Rs 71.02 crore is meant for public works, PTI reported. On the other hand, the food and civil supplies department has proposed Rs 55.52 crore. The state planning department has sought Rs 80 crore, while Rs 1,431 crore has been earmarked for water supply and sanitation. A grant of Rs 23.64 crore has been demanded for the OBC welfare department and Rs 132 crore for the revenue and forest department. The medical education and drugs department has sought Rs 31.43 crore under the supplementary demands. Maharashtra Budget Session 2026: Governor addresses both Houses in Marathi Opening the Budget Session with a Marathi address and continuing in Hindi, Governor Acharya Devvrat outlined an ambitious mix of political promises, economic targets, and welfare measures, from pushing a resolution to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute to projecting trillion-dollar growth plans, massive investment inflows, and expanded health schemes as the state heads into its fiscal roadmap for the year. (With inputs from PTI)
24 February,2026 04:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 45-year-old man died on Tuesday after he allegedly jumped in front of a train at the Uttam Nagar East Metro station, police said. Information was received from the station controller at 10:12 am that a man had jumped onto the tracks at the Metro station. "The incident took place at 9:50 am," DCP (Metro) Kushal Pal Singh said. The deceased was from Rajasthan and worked as a house painter who had come to Delhi to attend the wedding of his niece. Initial inquiry revealed that he had been suffering from depression for many years and was undergoing treatment at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here. He had visited the hospital on Monday, the DCP said. "He is survived by his wife, their 18-year-old daughter, and two sons aged 17 and 20. The body has been shifted to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for post-mortem," the officer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
24 February,2026 03:41 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe ruling of the US Supreme Court striking down tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump under the International Emergency and Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is likely to create winners and losers among global economies, with India, China, and Brazil emerging as beneficiaries, while the Euro-zone, UK, Japan, and Singapore may face negative implications, according to a report by ICICI Bank. The report stated that "the revised tariff structure for the time being is likely to create a set of winners (India, China and Brazil) and losers (Euro-zone, UK, Japan and Singapore) while it is unlikely to materially change the outlook for the US economy." The US Supreme Court struck down tariffs that were imposed under IEEPA, effectively nullifying all country-wise reciprocal tariffs as well as fentanyl-related tariffs that were implemented in 2025. This development removes certain trade barriers that had affected multiple countries, reshaping the global trade landscape. However, the report noted that tariffs imposed under section 232 and section 301 will not be affected by the ruling, meaning that some existing trade restrictions will continue to remain in place. Despite the court ruling, the US President has kept his tariff agenda in place by imposing a flat universal tariff of 15 percent under section 122. This tariff will remain effective for 150 days. The report highlighted that it remains unclear whether these tariffs will be extended beyond this period, as any extension would require approval from the US Congress. The report further stated that the Trump administration is likely to shift its strategy towards imposing more sector-specific tariffs using section 301, section 232, section 201, or section 338. These tariffs require a more formal process, including investigations by relevant government departments, before they can be implemented. According to the report, this process would likely take three to six months before tariffs under these sections can be imposed. So while the Supreme Court ruling has temporarily reshaped tariff structures and created relative advantages for countries such as India, China, and Brazil, the broader US tariff strategy remains in place, with the administration expected to pursue alternative routes to maintain its trade policy objectives. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
24 February,2026 03:40 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIRuling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday asked students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Iran to leave that country immediately, as it would be difficult to evacuate them after the airspace closure. In its latest advisory, the Embassy of India asked its citizens to "leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights." The advisory comes in the wake of Saturday's protests in Iran following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies. Abdullah said the students should pack their bags and leave Iran before their parents panic. "I want to tell the students of Jammu and Kashmir to leave immediately. Otherwise, when the airspace is closed tomorrow, their parents may panic. They should leave before it comes to that. Otherwise, there will be no one to evacuate them. When the advisory has been issued, they should pack their bags and return home," Abdullah said. The NC president was speaking to reporters after paying tributes to the party's former general secretary, Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, on his eleventh death anniversary at Soura on the outskirts of the city. Abdullah also wished success to the J-K cricket team, which is playing Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy on Tuesday in its first-ever Ranji finals. "May God give them success. That is the most important thing. We congratulate them for reaching this far, and hope that they will win the finals," he said. Asked about the movie Kerala Story 2, Abdullah said, "Let me tell you that we cannot trust our media. It is based on lies and is suppressed by the government. So, talking in front of it holds no significance. First, the media should strengthen its integrity. Until they strengthen their integrity, people will not trust them." The NC chief said Ahmad sacrificed a lot for the party. "He was a pillar of strength of the NC. He strengthened the party as its general secretary, the success of which you are seeing today. God willing, I am hopeful that this party will continue to run as its founders envisioned," he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
24 February,2026 03:27 PM IST | Jammu and Kashmir | PTIAll seven people on board an air ambulance were killed when the aircraft crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand's Chatra district. The deceased have been brought to a hospital for post-mortem examination, officials said on Tuesday, reported PTI. The Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route from Ranchi to Delhi when it went down on Monday evening in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, deep inside a forest. All seven on board, including two pilots, lost their lives. All seven victims taken for post-mortem; investigation underway "We have brought all seven bodies for post-mortem at Sadar Hospital, Chatra. The crash is being investigated," an official told PTI. The aircraft took off from Ranchi Airport at 7:11 pm and went missing around 7:30 pm. It lost contact with air traffic control about 20 minutes after departure, he said. Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar said inclement weather could be a possible reason behind the crash, though the exact cause will be determined after a detailed probe, reported PTI. The deceased have been identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi, and Dhuru Kumar. Meanwhile, a lingering sense of grief prevailed in Chatra district as the relatives of those killed in the crash expressed shock and disbelief. Bajrangi Prasad, the father of the deceased Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, said he had sold all his land to support his son’s medical education. Dr Gupta was posted at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. "He had a seven-year-old son… He was meritorious and completed his MBBS from Odisha's Cuttack," Prasad said, reported PTI. Family of deceased cites poor healthcare infrastructure for air ambulance crash Family members of Sanjay Kumar (41) blamed the “poor” health infrastructure for the tragedy. "Had we received proper treatment for my brother-in-law, Sanjay, in Ranchi, precious lives could have been saved. I lost both Sanjay and my sister Archana Devi in the incident," Kumar said, reported PTI. Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G had earlier told PTI that all seven deceased were retrieved from the crash site and shifted to Chatra hospital for post-mortem examination. In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the Beechcraft C90 aircraft (VT-AJV) was operating a medical evacuation flight on the Ranchi–Delhi sector when it crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district. Aircraft lost contact with Kolkata 23 minutes after takeoff from Ranchi "The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST, the aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi," it said, adding that there were seven people on board, including two crew members. An Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team has been dispatched to the crash site. (With PTI inputs)
24 February,2026 03:21 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondentHighlighting India's pivotal role in the global technological landscape, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Thursday stated that the country is currently leading the world in AI adoption and is poised to become one of the largest markets for the technology. He said that India is not just participating in the Artificial Intelligence revolution but leading it. Speaking to ANI at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Altman expressed his optimism regarding the nation's digital trajectory, noting that the work happening within India's tech ecosystem is "amazing" and currently setting a global pace. He identified India as a primary driver of future innovation, suggesting the nation will wield a "huge amount of influence" over how the technology evolves globally. Addressing persistent concerns over automation, Altman acknowledged that while AI will definitely impact the job market, he remains confident in human adaptability. He emphasized that throughout history, technological shifts have consistently led to the discovery of new, more meaningful work. "It (AI) will definitely impact the job market, but we always find new things to do, and I have no doubt we will find lots of better ones this time," Altman stated. Incidentally, OpenAI has seen its second-largest user base emerge from India. The company opened its first office in New Delhi last year "It is amazing to be here, obviously the work happening in India and the adoption of AI is leading the world, and I can't wait to see what goes next," Altman told ANI. Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the summit, the Tata Group, Tata Consultancy Services and OpenAI announced a multi-dimensional strategic partnership, that will drive AI-powered innovation across enterprise, consumer, and social sectors. This partnership spans multiple high-impact areas, including powering AI-led innovation across Tata Group companies, joint efforts to drive AI transformation across industries globally, and setting up AI infrastructure. Building industry-specific Agentic AI solutions: Under this partnership, OpenAI, with its leading Agentic AI solutions, and TCS, with its contextual knowledge of industries and deep AI skills, will come together to build impactful industry-specific solutions. Through this collaboration, TCS will help its customers accelerate AI-led transformation by deploying, integrating, and scaling OpenAI's advanced AI platforms worldwide. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
24 February,2026 03:19 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIADVERTISEMENT
-1771935145858_d.png "Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. File Pic")
-1771921899004_d.png "Rajasthan man allegedly dies by suicide in Delhi Metro. Representational Image")
-1771923676599_d.png "US Supreme Court. File Pic/AFP")
-1771920414097_d.png "National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah. File Pic")
-1771490093681_d.png "Open AI CEO Sam Altman. File Pic/AFP")