TODAYS TOP NEWS
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1. India Meteorological Department has forecast isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, south Odisha, and south Chhattisgarh and over Vidarbha and Telangana, under the influence of Depression currently over Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal.
2. The government will introduce six new bills, including the one to amend the disaster management law, in the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning next week. Besides the Finance Bill, the government has listed the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 to replace the Aircraft Act of 1934 to provide enabling provisions for ease of doing business in the civil aviation sector.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed happiness over the inputs received for the upcoming edition of Mann Ki Baat programme. The programme is scheduled to be broadcast on 28th of this month.
4. BJP MLA from Shalimar Bagh Rekha Gupta to be the next Chief Minister of Delhi.
5. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting with various heads of security and Law Enforcement Agencies in New Delhi to review the functioning of Multi Agency Centre of Intelligence Bureau, responsible for tackling security challenges in the country.
He stresses upon greater synergy between security and Law Enforcement agencies to dismantle terror networks and their supporting ecosystem.
6. The High-Level Committee, under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved additional Central assistance of over one thousand 554 crore rupees from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to five states affected by natural calamities such as floods, flash floods, landslides, and cyclonic storms during the past year.
7. Union Minister for Youth and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya took part in a padyatra in Pune yesterday on the occasion of the 395th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mandaviya emphasized that, just as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation for Hindavi Swarajya through ideal governance and respect for women, the Narendra Modi government is working to build a developed India, inspired by his principles.
8. The Government released the 15th Finance Commission Grants for the Financial Year 2024-25 for the Rural Local Bodies of Bihar, Haryana, and Sikkim.
9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the inauguration of the Inland Waterways Transport, IWT Terminal on the Brahmaputra, National Waterway-2 at Jogighopa in Assam.
The state-of-the-art terminal, connected to the Multi-Modal Logistics Park and strategically located in Jogighopa, will serve as an international port of call for Bhutan and Bangladesh. The terminal is located at a distance of 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from Bangladesh border and 147 km from Guwahati.
10. A group of senior Congress leaders has written to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, urging him to make Lok Sabha member Gaurav Gogoi the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) of the poll-bound north-eastern state.
11. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday asserted the opposition’s attempts to “malign the Maha Kumbh with false narratives” will not be tolerated, neither will any disrespect toward Sanatan Dharma. The water at the Sangam is fit for both bathing and ritual drinking (aachman) as confirmed by some recent reports, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.
Speaking in the state assembly, he said the Maha Kumbh Mela was not just a religious event but a symbol of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
12. The fatality count due to suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) rose to 11 after two more patients died in Pune hospitals during treatment.
13. Ajmer is hosting the inaugural All India Kinnar Mahasammelan, a landmark 10-day transgender conference at a private school in Vaishali Nagar. The event, which commenced on 17 February 2025, with the Khichdi Tulai ritual, focuses on discussing challenges faced by the transgender community.
14. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds independent charge of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key portfolios, inaugurated India’s first Open Air Art Wall Museum at Mausam Bhawan, New Delhi.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with Delhi Street Art, celebrates 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) through a vibrant series of murals, depicting its history, technological advancements, and contributions to society.
15. Gyanesh Kumar yesterday assumed charge as the new Chief Election Commissioner at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi. Mr Kumar succeeds Rajiv Kumar who completed his tenure Tuesday.
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LEGAL REPORT
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1. The Supreme Court agreed to examine the contours of Article 361 of the Constitution which grants blanket immunity to governors from any kind of criminal prosecution. The top court’s order came on and plea of former woman employee of West Bengal Raj Bhavan who has alleged molestation by Governor C V Ananda Bose and her wrongful confinement by the officials there.
2. Union Public Service Commission, UPSC has conducted a detailed and thorough investigation in the misdemeanour of Puja Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022.
It said that the investigation revealed that she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the Examination Rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father’s and mother’s name, her photograph and signature, her email ID, mobile number and address.
3. The Punjab government has dismissed 52 police officials from service for their involvement in corrupt practices. The exercise followed directions from the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
4. Three hardcore Naxalites were killed in an encounter with the Hawk Force and District Police Force in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. All three Naxalites are women. This encounter took place near the Raunda Forest Camp of Soopkhar Forest Range in the Gadhi police station area.
5. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) refuted the claims regarding the change of FASTag rules declining transactions, as reported by some media publications. NHAI, in a statement, said that the circular released by the National Payments Corporation of India on 28th January has no impact on the FASTag customer experience. It was issued to facilitate the resolution of disputes between the Acquirer Bank and the Issuer Bank on FASTag status while the vehicle crosses toll plazas.
6. Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) chief A.V. Ranganath has issued a cautionary advisory against purchasing farm plots in Hyderabad and other districts. According to reports, several complaints were received regarding the illegal sale of plotted farmland that goes against the Telangana Municipalities Act 2019 and the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2018.
7. Five militants, one sympathiser arrested in Manipur. A sympathiser of KCP (PWG), identified as Romeo Laishram (50), was arrested from his residence at Yurembam in Imphal West district and a pistol with magazine and cartridges were seized.
Five militants belonging to three banned outfits have been arrested in Manipur in the last two days.
“””””””” MISHAPS “””””””””
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FINANCE
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SILVER : ₹ 1,00,400/KG
The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is expected to generate business worth more than 3 lakh crore rupees this year. According to the estimate by the Confederation of All India Traders-CAIT, the Mahakumbh is set to be one of the biggest economic events in India.
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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The world’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss World, is set to return to India for its 72nd edition, with Telangana hosting the global event in 2025. The festival spans over a period of 4 weeks from May 7 to 31, spread across various destinations in Telangana, a State with a rich legacy and modern vibe.
The opening and closing ceremonies, including the grand finale, are scheduled to take place in Hyderabad.
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DEFENCE News
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1. President Droupadi Murmu presents 94 Distinguished Service Awards to serving and retired personnel of Armed forces and Indian Coast Guard.
She conferred 31 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, two Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and 57 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals.
2. The 13th meeting of Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) took place in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary General in Malaysia’s Defence Ministry Lokman Hakim Bin Ali.
3. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to replace Punjab and Himachal police at Bhakra, Nangal dams. 300 CISF personnel to guard dams 35 km apart. Bhakra-Nangal Dam is crucial for hydroelectric and irrigation.
20 Feb (Thursday)
Vedic Ritu/ Shishir
Drik Ritu : Vasanta
पक्ष :: Krishnapaksh
(In Purnimanta calendar)
Vikram Samvat – 2081
Month : Phalguna 08
(In Amanta calendar)
Shaka Samvat – 1946
Month Magha 22
Nakshatra: Vaishaka/ Anuradha
Tithi : Ashtami
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