Kolkata Metro Railway (KMR) introduced India’s first battery backup system as it commissioned a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the underground stretch of the Blue Line. To enhance operational resilience, KMR has deployed a 4 MW/6.4 MWh battery energy storage. As per reports, the stored power can move stranded trains at speeds of up to 55 kmph from mid-tunnel to the next station in case of a power failure. 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
27 February,2026 09:33 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesA dramatic standoff unfolded between the Delhi Police and the Himachal Pradesh Police on Wednesday after the Delhi Police arrested three Indian Youth Congress members from a hotel in the Rohru area of Shimla district in connection with an FIR registered on February 20 over the protest at Bharat Mandapam. While the Delhi Police maintained that they had secured a valid transit remand from a local court in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh Police alleged procedural lapses and registered a kidnapping case against unidentified Delhi Police personnel. The drama ended the next day and a Delhi Police team returned to the national capital with arrested Youth Congress workers. 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
27 February,2026 09:21 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a “complete blanket ban” on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of NCERT’s Std VIII social science book as it contains “offending” contents on corruption in the judiciary. SC observed that there appeared to be a “deep-rooted conspiracy” and “calculated move” to undermine the institution. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday expressed anguish over NCERT and promised to fix accountability and take action. 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
27 February,2026 09:19 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesTelangana’s monthly salary and pension bill has surged four-fold in a decade to around Rs 6000 crore and according to state chief secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, the spike comes amid top government engineers in power utilities drawing up to Rs 7 lakh per month, while senior sanitation workers in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) earning close to Rs 2 lakh a month after long years of service and revisions. Rao said that salary and pensions of workers have expanded 300 per cent due to successive pay revisions, which also clashed with election cycles and led to a surge in expenditures. 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
27 February,2026 09:13 AM IST | Hyderabad | AgenciesThe Congress on Thursday described Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s address to the Israeli Parliament as an “unabashed defence of his host” Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and one that “diminished India’s moral standing”, news agency PTI reported. Hitting out at Modi, the Opposition party also recalled India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s July 1947 reply to Albert Einstein’s letter to him on the subject of the creation of Israel. Addressing the Knesset on Wednesday, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards “just and durable peace” in the region. He also delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that “terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere”. “I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 (2023)... India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Modi said. Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh denounced the speech and dwelt at length on Nehru’s words. “In his address to the Knesset yesterday, which was an unabashed defence of his host, Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the fact that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born,” he said in a post on X. Ramesh then cited Einstein’s letter to Nehru dated June 13, 1947, on the subject of the creation of Israel Ramesh said Nehru had replied to Einstein a month later and also recalled that the two met at Einstein’s home in Princeton on November 5, 1949. He further noted that in November 1952, Einstein was offered the Presidency of Israel, which he declined. Shortly before his death in April 1955, the two leaders had also exchanged letters on nuclear explosions and weapons, Ramesh pointed out. Referring to Nehru’s July 11, 1947 reply, Ramesh said India’s first Prime Minister had expressed sympathy for both Jews and Arabs, observing that the issue had become deeply emotional and charged on both sides. Nehru had argued that unless leaders on either side were large-hearted enough to arrive at a solution that was just and broadly acceptable to all concerned, there could be no effective resolution. He had written that although he had studied the Palestine question in some detail, he did not claim full knowledge or authority to pronounce a final solution. While acknowledging the remarkable work done by the Jews in Palestine and the progress achieved there, Nehru had wondered why they had failed to secure the goodwill of the Arabs. He questioned the wisdom of compelling the Arabs to accept certain demands against their will. PM Modi Israel visit: Ramesh invokes Nehru’s Palestine view, shares Israeli activist’s sharp critique According to Ramesh, Nehru had cautioned that the prevailing approach would only prolong the conflict rather than resolve it, adding that responsibility for the situation did not rest with one side alone, as all parties had erred. The chief difficulty had been the continuation of British rule in Palestine, Nehru said. In another post, Ramesh cited criticism of the PM’s address by Eitay Mack, a well-known Israeli lawyer and human rights activist. “He (Mack) has exposed the sham of the Prime Minister’s much heralded (in the godi media) address to the Knesset yesterday that diminished India’s moral standing,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader shared a post carrying Mack’s remarks in an article in which he was critical of Modi’s address. (With PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 08:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a bid to ensure that open prisons function as meaningful and effective institutions of reformation and rehabilitation, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed all states and Union territories to develop a time-bound protocol for filling up existing vacancies in Open Correctional Institutions (OCI) and open barracks. Semi-open or open prisons allow convicts to work outside the premises during the day to earn a livelihood and return in the evening. The concept was introduced to assimilate convicts with society and reduce psychological pressure as they faced difficulties in leading normal lives outside. Issuing a slew of directions, the top court said prisons are institutions of correction, where dignity, self-respect and social reintegration are not aspirational ideals but constitutional necessities.A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed the states and Union territories (UTs) to submit the protocol to their respective monitoring committees within a period of three months. It said all states and UTs shall ensure that OCIs do not function merely as labour camps or spaces of custodial convenience. "Ensure that the identified vacancies are filled within a further period of two months thereafter, subject to eligibility and security considerations. The compliance report shall be placed before the Monitoring Committee within one month thereafter," the bench said. The court also took note of under-representation of women prisoners from OCIs and directed all states and UTs to develop protocol for restructuring existing OCIs to allocate adequate capacity for female prisoners. The directions came on a PIL regarding overcrowding in prisons and the functioning of OCIs. Recognising the absence of uniformity in governance, eligibility norms, rehabilitation facilities and management of OCIs, the apex court constituted a high-powered committee for reform and governance of Open Correctional Institutions with former Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat as executive chairperson. The objective of the committee is formulation of common minimum standards for the governance, administration and management of OCIs, including eligibility criteria, living conditions, etc, the bench said. The court said the directions were being issued to ensure that equality, non-discrimination and the right to live with dignity, as guaranteed under articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution, is meaningfully realised in the administration of prisons across the country. The enduring strength of a constitutional democracy lies not in the severity of punishments, but in its commitment to restore dignity, hope and opportunity even to those who have transgressed the law, the court said. "Prisoners do not cease to be bearers of constitutional rights upon incarceration, and the state's obligation to treat them with humanity, fairness and compassion stands heightened where liberty is lawfully curtailed," the bench said. The top court directed that all states and UTs to take proactive and time-bound steps to expand open correctional infrastructure by establishing new OCIs, and creating open and semi-open barracks within existing closed prisons. "Each state and Union territory through its Prisons and Correctional Services Department shall undertake a comprehensive assessment of its prison infrastructure within a period of three months," the bench said. For effective compliance and monitoring, the top court directed all the high courts to register a suo motu writ petition for monitoring the compliance with the present judgment within their respective jurisdictions. 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.
26 February,2026 08:01 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIUnion Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said he did not believe there was a conspiracy behind the Baramati plane crash that claimed the life of then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, but insisted that the Central Bureau of Investigation should probe the incident, news agency PTI reported. “We demand that the inquiry into the plane crash should take place through the Central Bureau of Investigation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written to the Centre for the same, and I am also going to follow it up,” the Republican Party of India leader told PTI during a visit to Latur in Maharashtra. “At the same time, I don’t think there was any conspiracy behind this incident. Ajit Pawar was so strong that no one would try such a thing, and moreover he had no enmity (with anyone),” Athawale said. He also criticised the delay in action against VSR Ventures, which operated the ill-fated Learjet-45 plane that crashed at Baramati in Pune district on January 28 with Pawar and four others on board. “If an aircraft malfunctions, then the company should be banned. (But) I disagree with those who are saying that it was a planned crash,” the Union Minister said. Athawale further stated that he will be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) support in the upcoming election for seven vacant Upper House seats from Maharashtra. “Four seats will be contested by the BJP, and one of the four seats will be mine. If the opposition parties lack consensus, we can also contest and win the seventh seat,” he said. On the panel system for municipal elections, Athawale stated that it was difficult for his party’s candidates to succeed under this system, and that he would request Chief Minister Fadnavis to scrap panel elections. Ajit Pawar plane crash: CID probe to check for sabotage or negligence The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) said on Thursday that the focus of its probe into the Baramati plane crash is to determine whether the incident was caused by sabotage or criminal negligence. Addressing a press conference, Sunil Ramanand, additional director general (CID), said the investigation is being conducted in a detailed and professional manner. “The purpose of the CID probe is to determine whether there was any foul play in the plane crash. It will also examine whether there was any criminal negligence. Thirdly, the probe will ascertain whether any criminal act, including illegal omission, led to the crash,” Ramanand said. He added that once the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) concludes its report, its findings will be incorporated into the CID investigation. “We have collected several pieces of evidence,” the official said. Ramanand further stated that if any criminal angle, including negligence or sabotage, is established, the CID will register a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (With PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 08:01 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has placed the prosecution sanction order received from the competent authority against P. Chidambaram, the then Union Finance Minister, for the offence of money laundering in the Aircel Maxis deal, before the Special Court, according to a statement issued by the financial investigative agency on Thursday. The prosecution sanction order, which was obtained on February 10, 2026, "has been placed before the Special Rouse Avenue Court to expedite the trial in the case," the ED statement said. The ED had initiated the investigation under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on October 9, 2011, registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Aircel Maxis case against offences punishable under Section 120-B read with Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 8, 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. In the case filed immediately, the investigation has revealed that Chidambaram has granted the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to Aircel Maxis in lieu of the quid pro quo. In the Aircel Maxis deal, the foreign investor (Maxis) applied for approval of the government for FDI of USD 800 million (Rs 3,565.91 crore), for which, the competent authority for approval was Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). "However, as part of larger conspiracy, approval was fraudulently and dishonestly granted by the then Finance Minister Chidambaram on March 20, 2006, who was competent to consider and approve FDI proposals involving total investment of Rs 600 crore or less," the statement noted. Investigation has revealed that illegal gratification of Rs 1.16 crore was received by Karti Chidambaram in his companies M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited (ASCPL) and M/s Chess Management Services Private Limited (CMSPL). Investigation has revealed financial transactions between P. Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram. Investigation has also said that funds of ASCPL have also been spent for and on behalf of P. Chidambaram, the statement said. The proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 1.16 crore have been provisionally attached and that has been confirmed by the adjudicating authority with order dated March 12, 2018. Subsequently, a prosecution complaint under Sections 44 and 45 read with Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA dated June 13, 2018, and the supplementary prosecution complaint dated October 25, 2018, was filed before the Special PMLA Court at New Delhi's Rose Avenue wherein P. Chidambaram was arraigned as accused number six. "The Special Court vide its order dated November 27, 2021, took cognisance of the commission of an offence of money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate has been making all efforts to fast track the trial in the case," the statement said. The Supreme Court pronounced a judgement on November 6, 2024, in the case "Enforcement Directorate vs Bibhu Prasad Acharya, etc." and held that the requirement of the prosecution sanction under Section 197(1) of the CrPC is applicable to a complaint filed under Section 44(1)(b) of the PMLA, 2002, as well. Subsequent to the Apex court's judgment, many accused persons charged under the PMLA, 2002, have challenged the trial proceedings in multiple legal forums, leading to delay in the trial. "To counter such delay and to comply with the Supreme Court order, the ED has swiftly initiated remedial actions by seeking prosecution sanctions in all such prosecution complaints involving public servants," the statement noted. "Therefore, in light of the said order of the Supreme Court, the sanction was obtained from the competent authority on February 10, 2026, along with this court order under Section 197 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Section 218 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, dated February 10, 2026) for prosecuting P. Chidambaram in respect of the offence of money laundering," the statement 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
26 February,2026 07:37 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSIndia hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, focusing on human-centric AI, global cooperation, and ethical frameworks such as the New Delhi Declaration. The summit, focusing on AI development in India and across the globe, brought together global leaders, policymakers, technology experts, innovators and startup founders to deliberate on the future of artificial intelligence and its responsible deployment, reported IANS. Major announcements and commitments in the AI Summit The recently concluded AI Summit saw major investment commitments, with global companies and governments pledging USD 200 billion for AI-related projects and infrastructure in India during the event in New Delhi. Key initiatives unveiled at AI Summit 2026 Expansion of affordable AI computing infrastructure, including massive GPU clusters for startups and researchers. New platforms for secure and privacy-preserving AI development, particularly in sectors like health and public services. PM Modi hails the AI India Summit 2026 While addressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme after the conclusion of AI Summit 2026, the Prime Minister, during his programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ said, "This is a strong platform to bring forth achievements of the country and its people. One such achievement was recently seen during the AI Impact Summit that was held in Delhi. Leaders, industrialists, innovators and people from the startup sectors arrived in the Bharat Mandapam for this summit." India reinforces its global stand in AI While the AI summit was not just about the investments and bringing AI giants to India, it was also about showcasing India’s hold in AI on a global stage. Expressing his views on the positive impact on India’s AI sector, Jaspreet Bindra, co-founder of AI & Beyond, said, “India’s positioning was reinforced by lived digital success stories. The integration of AI with digital public infrastructure, combined with strong public optimism, showed that AI is no longer being discussed as a future possibility but as a present-day enabler across governance, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship.” Google and OpenAI eye India as an integral spot for AI data centres Amid the recent development in the artificial intelligence sector, where giants like Google and OpenAI are eyeing rapid expansion, they are treating India as a strategic location for next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure, signalling a major shift in the global AI computing landscape. Highlighting India’s role in expanding the AI computing landscape at a global level, the former Regional Director at Microsoft India, Jaspreet Bindra, also emphasised, “India offers a unique environment where AI systems can be built, tested, and refined in real-world conditions across languages, industries, and socioeconomic settings. This makes the country an ideal proving ground for AI solutions that are meant to work globally, not just in controlled or mature markets.”
26 February,2026 05:58 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) has said that its probe into the Ajit Pawar plane crash in Baramati will examine whether the tragedy was caused by sabotage or criminal negligence, reported the PTI. The plane crash had claimed the life of Former Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others. Addressing a press conference, Sunil Ramanand, Additional Director General (CID), said the investigation is being carried out in a thorough and professional manner. “The purpose of the CID probe is to determine whether there was any foul play in the crash. It will also examine whether there was any criminal negligence. Thirdly, the investigation will ascertain whether any criminal act, including illegal omission, led to the incident,” Ramanand said, as per the PTI. He added that once the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) completes its report, the findings will be incorporated into the CID’s inquiry. Evidence collected “We have collected several pieces of evidence,” the official said. Ramanand further stated that if the probe establishes any criminal angle - including negligence or sabotage - the CID will register a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Given the seriousness of the incident, the state government has also written to the Centre seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he said. The plane crash The Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK), operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28. Following the incident, an accidental death report was initially registered at Baramati Taluka police station before the case was transferred to the CID for detailed investigation. Maharashtra council chief seeks statement on plane crash Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde on Thursday directed the state government to place before the House a detailed statement on the air crash that claimed the life of Ajit Pawar, as per the PTI. The direction came after NCP (SP) MLC Shashikant Shinde moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the January 28 crash in Baramati, Pune district. Raising the issue in the House, Shashikant Shinde said several individuals, including legislators Amol Mitkari and Rohit Pawar, had expressed suspicion regarding the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death. He added that many had demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 05:21 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have revised air ticket refund rules to make them more passenger-friendly and have announced that the passengers can now cancel or amend their air tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying additional charges, subject to certain conditions, reported the PTI. Under the amended Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for the refund of airline tickets, airlines must offer a 48-hour ‘look-in option’ from the time of booking. During this period, passengers may cancel or modify their tickets without incurring extra charges, except for any fare difference applicable to the revised flight. However, this facility will not apply to flights departing within seven days of booking for domestic travel and 15 days for international travel, when tickets are booked directly through an airline’s website. No extra charges for name corrections The regulator said airlines must not levy additional charges for correcting the name of the same passenger if the mistake is reported within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket was booked directly through the airline’s website, according to the PTI. For tickets purchased through travel agents or online portals, the responsibility for processing refunds will remain with the airline, as agents act as their authorised representatives. The airlines must complete the refund process within 14 working days. Medical emergency provisions The revised norms also address cancellations due to medical emergencies. If a passenger or a family member listed on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) is hospitalised during the travel period, airlines may offer either a refund or a credit shell, the news agency reported. In other cases, refunds will be processed after the airline’s Aerospace Medicine specialist, or a DGCA-empanelled specialist, certifies the passenger’s fitness to travel. The revised CAR was issued on February 24. Move follows rise in refund complaints The changes come amid increasing complaints from passengers about delays in refunds. The issue gained attention during disruptions involving IndiGo flights in December 2025, following which the civil aviation ministry directed the airline to complete refunds within a fixed timeframe, as per the PTI. According to DGCA data, scheduled airlines received 29,212 passenger complaints in December 2025, of which 7.5 per cent related to refunds. During that month, domestic carriers transported more than 1.43 crore passengers. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, with domestic airlines carrying over 16.69 crore passengers in 2025. (with PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 05:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1772115726105_d.png "Supreme Court calls prisons ‘Institutions of correction,’ not custodial spaces. File Pic")
