Prime 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 correspondentIndia's recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union is expected to deliver significant gains for several Indian sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, agriculture, leather, and marine products, as the EU remains one of India's largest and most important trading partners. The India-EU FTA, finalised in January 2026 after long negotiations, eliminates tariffs on over 90 per cent of goods traded between the two sides. According to a sectoral analysis by credit rating agency ICRA, the agreement grants India preferential zero-duty access on 97 per cent of EU tariff lines, covering nearly 99.5 per cent of the value of Indian exports, while India will cut or eliminate tariffs on 92 per cent of its tariff lines for EU imports. The textile and apparel sector is expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries. ICRA noted that duty-free access to the EU market will place Indian exporters on par with competitors such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey, which previously enjoyed tariff advantages. Apparel and home textiles, in particular, are expected to see improved export competitiveness and higher long-term investment. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products are also set to benefit under the EU FTA. The EU currently accounts for around 12 per cent of India's pharmaceutical exports and 46 per cent of its pharma imports. Removal of EU import tariffs on Indian medicines is expected to boost export competitiveness, while lower EU tariffs on imports of medicines, bulk drugs, and medical devices will reduce domestic input and healthcare costs, ICRA said. The EU is a key destination for India's organic chemical exports, accounting for about a quarter of shipments. Following the FTA's implementation, Indian chemical companies are expected to improve their competitiveness against global suppliers, including those from China. Engineering goods such as iron and steel, machinery, and automotive components will also benefit from improved market access, although finished steel exports may continue to face challenges due to the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which appears to fall outside the scope of the current deal. Agricultural and processed food exports, such as tea, coffee, spices, fruits, vegetables, and marine products, will gain preferential access to the EU market. Marine exports are expected to benefit from tariff reductions of up to 26 per cent, supporting coastal employment and export growth. Labour-intensive sectors such as leather, footwear, furniture, and rubber products are also expected to see gains. At the same time, sensitive sectors, including dairy, cereals, and poultry, have been safeguarded to protect farmers and MSMEs. Merchandise trade between India and the EU grew at a compound annual growth rate of 7 per cent between 2015-16 and 2024-25, with India maintaining a trade surplus since 2020-21. "The FTA enhances India's competitiveness across labour-intensive, agricultural, engineering, services, and advanced manufacturing sectors. It also safeguards micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, and skilled professionals while strengthening India's position in European value chains. With effective implementation, bilateral trade is expected to rise well beyond the current USD 137 billion and spur investment, innovation, job creation, and long-term export growth," ICRA said.
07 February,2026 09:48 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIA delegation of transport and delivery gig workers met the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to discuss the need for legislation from the Centre and implementations of regulations in Congress-ruled states, the Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union's Founder President said. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Union President Shaik Salauddin said the delegation outlined the problems faced by gig workers during the half-hour meeting. Salauddin said, "This delegation included drivers and delivery workers from the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers. In Congress-ruled states, and even where we serve as the opposition, the election promises made to these workers have been acted upon. At the central level, the government is providing social-security schemes, but that is not a substitute for statutory law." Further, he lauded the Congress government in Karnataka for bringing in a legislation to aid the gig workers. "There was a detailed discussion. For about half an hour, the delegation described their problems one by one. We called on Congress governments in states where implementation has stalled to act promptly. We again congratulated Karnataka for being the first state to introduce a comprehensive law," he added. The meeting came in the backdrop of an All-India Breakdown on February 7 (Saturday), announced by app-based transport workers affiliated with the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), protesting falling incomes and increasing exploitation in the platform transport sector. The nationwide protest will involve drivers and delivery workers associated with major platforms, including Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, and other app-based transport services. According to the unions, the agitation is being organised against the continued failure of the Central and State Governments to notify minimum base fares under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Despite these guidelines, aggregator companies continue to unilaterally set fares, pushing workers into unsustainable working conditions and forcing longer working hours with declining earnings. 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 09:47 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIA motorcyclist died after falling into a 15-feet-deep pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for construction work in west Delhi’s Janakpuri area, police said on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Kamal Bhayani, 25, a resident of Kailashpuri. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar said, “At around 8 am, a woman called the police control room to report that a man was lying inside a pit approximately 15 feet deep and was not moving. A police team immediately rushed to the spot.” Preliminary investigation suggests that the pit was dug at a DJB construction site, which was barricaded, a senior police officer said. “We are investigating all aspects of the incident. This road has been closed for the past few days, and the pit was dug on Thursday. It is possible that the person used to take this route every day for commuting and was unaware of the pit,” the DCP said. ‘The police did not help us’ According to the victim’s family, Kamal was returning home late Thursday night from his office in Rohini and was in touch with them. However, when he failed to reach home until late at night, they began searching for him and visited several police stations. The family said they searched for Kamal throughout the night but were informed around 8 am about his body being found in the pit. Karan, the deceased’s twin brother, said, “I got to know through a call I made to my brother’s phone, which was answered by the police. They told us they had found his body. When we reached there, we saw his body and his motorcycle lying inside the pit. There were safety measures in place, so I cannot understand how he fell. We had been searching for him since last night, roaming around different areas. The police did not help us. We went to at least seven to eight police stations, but no one helped us,” he said. Government orders probe The Delhi government has ordered a probe, Urban Development minister Ashish Sood said on Friday. Sood expressed he was deeply hurt by the death of the youth on Joginder Singh Marg. “I visited the accident site and also met the family members of the deceased. CM Rekha Gupta and the entire Delhi government stand with the family. Order has been issued for a probe of the incident, and the guilty will be punished strictly,”the minister said. Meanwhile, the DJB has constituted a high-level Inquiry Committee to ensure a transparent investigation into the incident. Delhi Jal Board officials suspended Three Delhi Jal Board engineers have been suspended after a motorcyclist allegedly fell into a construction pit dug by the water agency, cabinet minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma said on Friday. Verma further said that strict action will be taken against the company involved in executing the project. He added that DJB will give compensation to the family of the victim. The water minister who inspected the construction site after the incident was reported on Friday ordered the suspension of the DJB officers. “We are suspending three officers-executive engineer, assistant engineer and junior engineer, it was the duty of the three officers to monitor the progress of the work ongoing here,” Singh told reporters. 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 09:45 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThirteen Phipson’s shieldtail snakes were found by wildlife enthusiast Omkar Dhore while cleaning a small polyhouse, a type of greenhouse where a specialised polythene sheet is used as a covering material, in Vadgaon, Maval taluka, Pune district, on February 4. Dhore informed Jigar Solanki, a member of the Wildlife Rescuer of Maval organisation, on noticing movement on the floor of the polyhouse. Upon searching a small area of about three to four feet in a corner, the snakes were found one after another. Such a discovery is considered a rare occurrence. According to wildlife experts, the Phipson’s shieldtail, a fossorial, burrowing snake of the Western ghats, spends most of its life underground, coming to the surface mainly during heavy rain, flooding of burrows, or when disturbed by digging or construction activity in the area. Solanki told mid-day that this group included juveniles, sub-adults, and fully grown adults. Following the discovery, Vadgaon Range Forest Officer (RFO) Prakash Shinde was informed. Acting under the guidance of the forest department, all the rescued snakes were given a medical examination before being safely released into suitable natural habitats. The rescue operation was carried out with the assistance of Dhore, Om Dalvi, Rohit Pawar, Adesh Mutha, and Nikhil Sane. Solanki said, “Phipson’s Shieldtail snakes, locally known as ‘khaparkhavlya’, are non-venomous and prefer living underground or in moist soil. They are characterised by their shield-like tails. Finding 13 of them in such a small area is a rare phenomenon. These snakes primarily feed on earthworms and are most commonly seen above ground during the monsoon. They are often found in farms or polyhouse areas; however, being soil-dwellers, they face significant threats from chemical pesticides and ploughing. Therefore, all these snakes were relocated to a safe, favourable habitat where they face no dangers.” This species is currently listed in the 'vulnerable' category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and according to experts, there is an urgent need for the conservation and further study of such elusive creatures.
07 February,2026 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavSeven including Rs 25 lakh reward carrying Maoist was killed in major operation at Gadchiroli-Chhattisgarh border, officials said on Friday. One police jawan lost his life after being seriously injured in the operation, they said. Among those neutralised was Prabhakar, the in-charge of the Gadchiroli Division Committee, West Sub Zonal Bureau, and Company No. 10 of the CPI (Maoist). He hailed from Kamareddy, Telangana, and carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head, an official statement said. Prabhakar and six other hardcore Maoists were killed during an exchange of fire with Gadchiroli police, the authorities confirmed. Over the past three days of the operation, a total of seven bodies of Maoists have been recovered, including four males and three females. During the operation, police have also seized three AK-47 rifles, one SLR rifle and one .303 weapon, the statement said. It said that the identities of the remaining Maoists are still being verified. Jawan killed According to the police, a C-60 Commandos jawan Deepak Chinna Madavi (38), from Aheri, fought bravely during the encounter. He reportedly neutralised two Maoists in a heavy exchange of fire but sustained a bullet injury. He was airlifted to Bhamragad Sub-District Hospital, where he later died. He will be cremated on Saturday at his native village with full police honours. On Friday, top Gadchiroli police officials paid their final respects to the jawan who was killed after being seriously injured in the operation. Another jawan, Joga Madavi, was also injured in the same operation. He was airlifted to Gadchiroli and is currently stable and out of danger. He is receiving treatment and is expected to be discharged soon. Gadchiroli police have said they will provide more details about the identities of the Maoists and other operational aspects in a press briefing on Saturday. The operation The operation involving 14 C-60 units under the SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) Bhamragd began on Tuesday near Phodewada village on the Gadchiroli-Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh) border, following inputs about the presence of cadres of company number 10 of the Maoists, police said. The C-60 is a specialised combat unit of the Maharashtra police engaged in tackling Naxalism in the Gadchiroli.
06 February,2026 11:13 PM IST | Gadchiroli | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-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")
