India has finalised eight free trade agreements (FTAs), covering 37 developed countries in the last few years, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. He also said that India is in active dialogue for similar pacts with several countries, including Chile, Peru and Canada. Trade negotiations with Chile, he said, are almost at conclusion, where India has interests in critical minerals. "We've done eight free trade agreements covering 37 developed countries in the last few years under the Modi-government," the minister told PTI. Since 2014, India has finalised eight trade pacts -- Mauritius (April 2021 implemented), Australia (December 2022 implemented), UAE (May 2022 implemented), Oman (signed in December 2025), UK (signed in July 2025), EFTA (implemented in October 2025 - Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), New Zealand (talks concluded in December 2025), and the European Union (27-nation bloc). Goyal added that talks for a trade pact have started with the Mercosur group of countries to expand the existing PTA (preferential trade agreement).The Mercosur trade bloc members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), a group of six nations from the Middle Eastern region, too, has expressed a desire to start and launch negotiations for an FTA with India, theminister said. "We have finalized terms of reference with them," he said, adding that Canada and India are actively talking for a pact."We're going to quickly start negotiations with Canada," Goyal said. India and SACU, the South African-led union, are also considering whether the two sides can look for a trade deal, he added. "So a lot of potential trade deals on the anvil. We'll certainly be hearing many more good news stories and making India an international player, a global player of significance in the years to come," he said. Under trade pacts, two or more nations either eliminate or reduce import duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease norms to promote trade in services and attract investments. 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.
07 February,2026 10:54 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn what can be termed good news for wildlife lovers, a third tigress, STR-06, was released into the wild at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra on Saturday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mid-day (@middayindia) The tigress was captured on Thursday around 5 pm from the Nagalwadi forest range of Pench Tiger Reserve in central India, following which she was transported to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. After the road journey, the wild cat was taken by boat into the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which forms part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, on Friday night. Upon arrival, veterinary officers conducted a medical examination, after which the tigress was offered water and meat, both of which she consumed. On Saturday at 6 am, the tigress was released at a safe location in the core forest area of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Tigress STR-06 expected to pair with resident male tiger Baji at Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary Officials said tigress STR-06 is expected to pair with the resident male tiger STR-03, popularly known as Baji, in the sanctuary. The development is likely to boost wildlife tourism in the region. Spread across 1,165 sq km, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve spans Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts and is one of the Maharashtra government’s ambitious conservation projects. The reserve is rich in biodiversity and is home to several rare species of flora and fauna in western Maharashtra. Saturday’s operation was carried out under the guidance of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Field Director Tushar Chavan, with Deputy Director Kiran Jagtap, Assistant Conservator of Forests Baba Hakke, Range Forest Officer Sangram Godse (flying squad), Akshay Salunkhe (Koyna), Vijay Bate (Bamnoli), Tushar Jankar (Patan), Akshay Karmalkar (Kandat), honorary wildlife wardens Rohan Bhate and Sunil Bhoite, along with forest guards and frontline staff. Speaking about the tiger's release into the reserve, Chavan said, “This third tigress released at Sahyadri Tiger Reserve marks the beginning of a new phase for Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. With no resident female for the existing male tiger STR-03, the introduction of a new tigress into his territory is expected to aid the continuity of the species and also strengthen the tourism prospects of the reserve.” The tigress was earlier identified as PTR-123 at Pench Tiger Reserve. Following her relocation to Sahyadri, she has been assigned the official identification number STR-06. Local guides at Sahyadri have named her ‘Hirkani’.
07 February,2026 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavPolice on Saturday shared fresh details about the three-day anti-Maoist operation along the Gadchiroli–Chhattisgarh border, in which seven Maoists were encountered and one C-60 commando was killed in action, shedding light on the scale and complexity of the action in the dense Abujhmaad forest. According to officers, the operation began late on Tuesday after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of Company No 10 cadres and other Maoist members from Chhattisgarh in the border forests, allegedly planning violent activities. Multiple teams of the elite C-60 unit were deployed in the rugged terrain near Phodewada village under the supervision of the Bhamragad Sub-Divisional Police Officer. On Wednesday, Maoists opened fire on police teams during a search operation, leading to retaliatory firing in self-defence. Two Maoist camps were destroyed during the day, and a large quantity of supplies and documents were recovered. However, thick forest cover and difficult terrain allowed the Maoists to evade immediate capture, officers said. As exchanges of fire continued intermittently, additional C-60 units and a Central Armed Police Force (CRPF) Quick Action Team were brought in to reinforce the cordon. On Thursday, security forces recovered the bodies of three Maoists along with weapons, including an AK-47 and an SLR rifle. The operation continued into the following day, when four more bodies were recovered from different locations in the forest. Police said those killed included senior cadres carrying a cumulative cash reward of Rs 71 lakh. Several of the Maoists were wanted in multiple cases related to murder, arson and attacks on security forces, though verification of all identities is still underway. Apart from firearms, police recovered ammunition, explosives, Maoist literature, magazines and other materials during the operation. Officers said the seizure indicates the group was well-equipped and capable of launching major attacks. Gadchiroli encounter: Another commando undergoing treatment, say police A C-60 commando who sustained a bullet injury during heavy firing was airlifted from the forest but later succumbed to his injuries. Another commando was injured and is undergoing treatment. Police said anti-Maoist operations in the region would continue, adding that further details would be shared at a briefing.
07 February,2026 04:49 PM IST | Gadchiroli | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Police carried out two major intelligence-led operations in Palghar and Thane districts, resulting in the seizure of high-value contraband, news agency PTI reported. In Palghar, officers intercepted a tempo that was allegedly transporting medicines and discovered liquor worth Rs 9.38 lakh hidden inside the cargo. In Thane, the crime branch arrested an autorickshaw driver for allegedly possessing heroin worth Rs 6.68 crore. Palghar: Liquor found hidden in medicine shipment In Palghar’s Talasari area, a police team intercepted a tempo on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway after receiving a tip-off, PTI reported. Upon searching the vehicle, police found a large quantity of liquor concealed among medicines, Deputy Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh said. The seizure was made during a routine check, and officers said the liquor was carefully hidden to avoid detection. The driver, identified as Shivendrakumar Lalbabu Thakur (41), claimed he was carrying medicines for a pharmaceutical company and produced a bill to support his claim. However, officers discovered that the liquor was hidden within the stock. Following the discovery, police registered a case against Thakur under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. An investigation is ongoing to determine the origin and intended destination of the liquor. Police are also trying to establish whether the driver was part of a larger smuggling network. 50-year-old rickshaw driver held with heroin in Thane In a separate operation in Thane city, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Thane Crime Branch arrested Fardin Gulzar Mulla, a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver, for allegedly carrying heroin, PTI reported. The arrest was made after a tip-off, and the suspect was intercepted in the Ghodbunder Road area on the night of February 1, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav said. Authorities said the arrest followed a targeted surveillance operation based on leads. Police recovered 2.288 kg of heroin from Mulla, estimated to be worth Rs 6.68 crore. He has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The DCP added that further investigation is underway to trace the source of the drugs, identify the intended buyers, and uncover other members of the drug supply network. Officers said the case is likely linked to a larger trafficking chain that uses small vehicles and local transport services to move drugs across regions. (With PTI Inputs)
07 February,2026 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA special event was organised on Saturday to mark the 105th Foundation Day of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, a landmark occasion in the state's democratic history. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju participated in the event in Patna. Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Cabinet Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, along with several senior leaders and legislators, were also present on the occasion. February 7 holds special significance in Bihar's political and democratic traditions. On this day in 1921, Bihar's legislative tradition formally came into existence. The first session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly was held on February 7, 1921, following the completion of the present Assembly building in 1920, after Bihar and Orissa were separated from Bengal Province. Since then, the date has remained synonymous with Bihar’s democratic identity. Addressing the media upon his arrival in Patna, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju described the day as historic for Bihar. He said the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) would be launched and a NeVA Service Centre inaugurated, marking a major step towards Digital India and strengthening digital legislative functioning. "A very significant programme is being organised today in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Through the e-Vidhan system, MLAs will be able to take full advantage of digital technology in legislative work. This is why I have come here," Union Minister Rijiju said. During his remarks, the Union Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the party had ruined the country in 60 years, while claiming that India is progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state administration made elaborate arrangements to ensure security and the smooth conduct of the event. The celebration of the 105th Foundation Day was not merely ceremonial but reflected the enduring strength of the Constitution, the tradition of parliamentary debate, and the spirit of democracy that continues to guide Bihar even after more than a century. 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.
07 February,2026 02:52 PM IST | Patna | IANSPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the interim trade agreement with the US will strengthen 'Make in India' by opening up new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs, and create jobs for women and youngsters. The prime minister also thanked US President Donald Trump for his personal commitment to robust ties between India and the US. "Great news for India and USA! We have agreed on a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement between our two great nations," Modi said in a post on X. He said this framework reflected the growing depth, trust and dynamism of the India-US partnership. "It strengthens 'Make in India' by opening new opportunities for India's hardworking farmers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, StartUp innovators, fishermen and more. It will generate large-scale employment for women and youngsters," the prime minister said. Modi said India and the United States share a commitment to promoting innovation, and this framework will further deepen investment and technology partnerships between the two countries. He said this framework will also strengthen resilient and trusted supply chains and contribute to global growth. "As India moves forward towards building a Viksit Bharat, we remain committed to building global partnerships that are future-oriented, empower our people and contribute to shared prosperity," the prime minister 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
07 February,2026 01:16 PM IST | New Delhi | PTISecurity forces in Manipur carried out a series of coordinated operations across several districts, targeting illegal poppy cultivation, militant activity and drug trafficking. The actions led to the destruction of large poppy fields, burning of huts, arrests of militants and smugglers, and seizure of narcotics and weapons. A combined team of security forces, the forest department and an Executive Magistrate destroyed three acres of illegal poppy plantation at Lakhamai Hills under Phaibung Police Station in Senapati district on Friday, reported ANI. During the operation, three huts found at the plantation sites were burnt and destroyed. In another drive, a joint team also destroyed around 80 acres of illegal poppy plantation at the Sihai hill range under Ukhrul Police Station in Ukhrul district. Ten huts found at the plantation sites were also burnt and demolished. PREPAK cadre arrested in Imphal Meanwhile, security forces arrested an active PREPAK cadre, Sapam Barlin Singh alias Nongthang (22), of Thangmeiband Khomdrang Selungba Leikai, Imphal West district. He was arrested from Porompat Ayangpalli Road near the JNIMS main gate under Porompat Police Station, Imphal East district. In another operation, security forces intercepted a four-wheeler, an A-Star, at Lilong Alia Lamkhai under Lilong Police Station in Thoubal district and arrested its occupant Md. Abbas Ahamed (42). From his possession, the forces recovered 1.543 kg of brown sugar along with the vehicle used for transport, as reported by ANI. Assam rifles operation and arms recovery Earlier last month, acting on intelligence about illicit narcotics cultivation, Assam Rifles, along with CRPF and Manipur Police, launched a joint operation in the Ngatan Hill Range in Kangpokpi district on January 9. During the operation, the team detected and destroyed 40 acres of poppy cultivation and 11 makeshift huts used for processing and storing narcotics. Earlier on January 8, security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the Songjang (Pakang) area under Kangpokpi police station. The seized items included pumpi guns, rifles, pistols, live ammunition, empty cartridges and locally made weapons. In another anti-narcotics operation, a combined team of security forces and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials arrested two drug smugglers, Hangkhankap and Khupjamal, on January 7 from between Maukot village and Singngat in Churachandpur district. Authorities seized 4.3 kg of heroin powder packed in 320 soap cases, along with a four-wheeler and a two-wheeler. (With ANI Inputs)
07 February,2026 01:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Sonia Gandhi has opposed a criminal revision petition filed against her in the Rouse Avenue Court, calling it misleading, speculative and politically motivated. In her reply, she said the plea is “wholly misconceived, frivolous and an abuse of the process of law,” and has sought its dismissal. While filing her response through counsel before Special Judge (CBI) Vishal Gogne, Sonia Gandhi challenged the claims that her name was included in electoral rolls before she acquired Indian citizenship. She said the complainant has relied on assumptions, media reports and personal beliefs instead of verified records, reported ANI. The reply states that no specific document has been identified as forged or falsified and that the allegations lack material details. Sonia Gandhi also argues that issues related to citizenship fall exclusively under the authority of the Central Government, while the preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls are the statutory responsibility of the Election Commission of India. Her reply further mentions that criminal courts cannot intervene in such matters through private complaints, as this would amount to interference in the electoral process, reported ANI. Background of the case As reported by ANI, a revision petition was filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, challenging a Magistrate Court order from September 2025 that had dismissed his complaint at the threshold. The Magistrate had ruled that matters relating to citizenship and electoral rolls fall within the jurisdiction of the Central Government and the Election Commission of India and cannot be decided through a criminal complaint. Sonia Gandhi’s reply, filed through advocates Tarannum Cheema, Kanishka Singh, Akash Singh and Akshay Nagarajan, reiterates that the petition is based on conjecture, outdated references and lacks any essential factual foundation, and therefore deserves to be dismissed. No proof of forged documents or voting Sonia Gandhi has also denied claims that her name was re-entered in the electoral roll based on any application or forged documents. The response notes that the complainant has failed to place any authentic application or supporting records on file or show that efforts were made to obtain such documents through legal means. Allegations that fabricated identity documents were used or that she voted in the 1980 general election have also been rejected as baseless and unsupported by evidence. The reply questions the reliance on decades-old media reports, stating that such material has no legal standing and cannot form the basis of criminal proceedings. It adds that the complainant is attempting to revive a controversy from 1980–83 after more than 40 years without any documentary foundation, rendering the allegations stale and legally untenable. Legal Objections to Maintainability Legal objections have also been raised regarding the maintainability of the complaint. The reply states that mandatory statutory requirements under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), including the filing of a valid affidavit, were not complied with. As a result, it argues, the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the revision petition. (With ANI Inputs)
07 February,2026 01:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday unveiled the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) at the Bihar assembly, aimed at creating paperless legislative processes. The function, held at the Central Hall of the state legislature, was attended by Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, among others. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, however, remained conspicuous by his absence. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said, "The CM was supposed to attend the function, but because of his already scheduled engagements, he did not attend it with permission of the assembly speaker." Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, also gave the programme a miss. NeVA is a workflow system deployed on the NIC cloud to help conduct legislative business in a paperless manner. It equips members to handle diverse businesses smartly by putting information regarding rules of procedures, the list of businesses, notices, bulletins, bills, questions and answers, and committee reports, among others, in their hand-held devices, officials said. The aim of the project is to bring all the legislatures of the country together, thereby creating a massive data depository, they 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.
07 February,2026 01:04 PM IST | Patna | PTIAmid the ongoing Maharashtra local body elections, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar on Saturday cast her vote in Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Baramati. Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar exercised her right at the Zilla Parishad school in Katewadi, Baramati She arrived early in the day to participate in the democratic process, while her presence at the polling booth drew attention as voting began across several districts of the state for the crucial local body elections on Saturday. Soon after casting her vote, the Deputy Chief Minister urged the citizens to come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote. She further appealed to voters to actively participate in the electoral process and contribute towards shaping a stronger and brighter future through democratic means. Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy CM on January 31 Sunetra Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the deputy chief minister (CM) of Maharashtra on Saturday. With this, she created history by becoming the first woman ever to hold the post of the deputy CM in the state. On January 31, 2026, Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, was administered the oath of office by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan (formerly known as Raj Bhavan) in Mumbai. Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honours on January 28, around 12:12 pm, at the Vidya Pratishtan campus in Baramati. His sons Parth and Jay Pawar lit the funeral pyre, even as his wife Sunetra broke down during the final rites. However, just after a couple of days, she replaced her husband as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The oath-taking ceremony was kept low-key, unlike the usual swearing-in events that feature flower bouquets, bands, and large gatherings. Sunetra's oath ceremony was attended by CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, other Bharatiya Janata Party ministers, and senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal. During the oath-taking ceremony, supporters of the late Ajit Pawar raised slogans such as “Amar rahe, amar rahe, Ajit Dada amar rahe” and “Ekach vada, Ajit Dada.”
07 February,2026 12:13 PM IST | Baramati | mid-day online correspondentDelhi Police on Saturday have detained more than 500 people under Operation Cyber Hawk 3.0, the latest phase of an ongoing drive against cybercrime. Officials said that the operation aimed at breaking organised cyber fraud networks that operate across multiple digital platforms. Operation Cyber Hawk 3.0 uses advanced technical tools, real-time intelligence, financial tracking and coordinated ground action to identify and dismantle cybercrime syndicates, as reported by news agency ANI. The officials while briefing about the operation also said that it helped in quickly identifying the offenders, shut down fraudulent digital infrastructure and initiate legal action against those involved in online crimes. The drive is part of a larger strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, protect citizens from online fraud and prevent misuse of digital platforms. Police said the operation will continue in the coming days with tighter monitoring and enforcement. Earlier successes under Operation Cyber Hawk Earlier in January, Delhi Police’s East District busted a cybercrime syndicate operating between Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Moradabad and Bareilly under Operation Cyber Hawk. Eight accused were arrested, including Mohd Wasim, who allegedly helped arrange mule bank accounts and launder money obtained through cyber fraud. The gang was found to be routing money into international cryptocurrency wallets. Police seized Rs 4.7 lakh in cash, seven debit cards, 14 mobile phones and 20 SIM cards. Investigators also traced 85 mule bank accounts linked to over 600 complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), as per ANI. During the second phase of Operation Cyber Hawk in December 2025, Delhi Police arrested 284 people and initiated legal action against around 2,900 others. Officials claimed the operation achieved a 200 per cent success rate. Joint Commissioner of Police (IFSO) Rajneesh Gupta said, "The first phase of the operation significantly reduced cybercrime-related distress calls to the national helpline number 1930. The daily average dropped from around 3,600 calls to about 2,400, prompting police to expand the operation," as cited by ANI. Massive joint operations across districts In November 2025, Delhi Police apprehended over 700 cybercriminals in a joint operation involving district police units and the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit. The 48-hour operation targeted crimes such as cheating, phishing, fake customer care scams, investment fraud and digital payment theft, reported ANI. Preliminary investigations revealed suspicious transactions worth nearly Rs 1,000 crore, highlighting the scale and reach of cybercrime networks operating across multiple locations. (With ANI Inputs)
07 February,2026 12:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1770452532230_d.png "Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla (L), Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar (R) during the foundation day celebration of the state Assembly, in Patna. Pic/PTI")
-1770441647777_d.png "Major crackdown in Manipur as illegal poppy farms get cleared. Representational Pic")
-1770447729599_d.png "Sonia Gandhi challenges criminal revision petition over citizenship claims. File Pic")
-1770449529298_d.png "Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla. File Pic")
-1770444231401_d.png "Over 500 detained by Delhi Police in cybercrime crackdown. Representational Pic")