The PRESS Pad

Supreme Court Refuses to Entertain Direct Plea Against Assam CM, Cites Constitutional Route Under Article 32 The Supreme Court of India on Monday (February 16, 2026) declined to entertain a series of petitions seeking a criminal investigation against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over alleged communal speeches and a controversial social media video. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vi

India has ushered in a major transformation in how solid waste is collected, segregated, processed, and disposed of with the notification of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 . Issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 , the new rules will replace the decade-old SWM Rules, 2016  and come into full effect from April 1, 2026 . The revised framework places strong emphasis on circular economy pri

A devastating fire at two warehouses in Kolkata’s Anandapur–Nazirabad area , near the EM Bypass , has claimed multiple lives, with at least 11 to 16 deaths confirmed so far  and over 20 workers feared missing , according to evolving official and media reports. The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of January 26 , continued for nearly 36 hours , raising serious questions over fire safety violations, illegal operations, and administrative lapses . The incident has direc

Deputy Chief Minister and four others die after Learjet crash; Maharashtra declares three days of state mourning Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar , one of the state’s most influential political leaders, died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 , in a plane crash near Baramati in Pune district , aviation officials and government sources confirmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)  reported that a Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK)  operated by D

Asia’s largest civil aviation event to bring together global policymakers, CEOs, investors and innovators at Begumpet Airport India’s rapidly expanding civil aviation sector will take centre stage as Wings India 2026 , Asia’s largest civil aviation event , commences on January 28, 2026 , at Begumpet Airport . The four-day mega event, running until January 31 , is being organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation  and will showcase the rise of Indian aviation and the future of

India has created history by participating as a Partner Country at Gulfood 2026  for the first time in the event’s 31-year history , marking a major milestone in the country’s global agri-food trade journey. Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food and beverage sourcing exhibition, opened today in Dubai and is being hosted simultaneously across two mega venues for the first time ever . The five-day event runs from January 26 to January 30, 2026 , spanning the Dubai World Trad

Trump cites national security concerns as Denmark, Greenland and NATO allies push back; Russia criticises Western ‘rules-based order’ US President Donald Trump  has threatened to impose trade tariffs on countries that oppose the United States’ plan to acquire Greenland , escalating tensions with allies and raising concerns about the future of transatlantic cooperation and Arctic security. Speaking at a White House meeting , Trump said Greenland was vital to US national securi

Blinkit Revises Branding as Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy Agree to End Ultra-Fast Delivery Timelines Following Government Push to Protect Gig Workers’ Safety In a significant development for gig and platform workers, major quick commerce and food delivery platforms — Blinkit , Zepto , Zomato  and Swiggy  — have agreed to discontinue the 10-minute delivery branding and practice  following an intervention by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , according to government sources.

Despite being legally prohibited for decades , child marriage remains one of the most persistent and damaging social practices in India, with serious consequences for health outcomes, education levels, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and long-term economic growth . Child marriage disproportionately affects young girls , exposing them to early and high-risk pregnancies , increasing vulnerability to domestic violence , curtailing access to education, and reinforcing inter

The United States has announced its withdrawal from 66 international organisations , including 31 United Nations–linked bodies and 35 non-United Nations organisations , marking one of the largest rollbacks of US participation in multilateral institutions in modern history . US President Donald Trump  signed a presidential memorandum on Wednesday (January 7, 2026)  titled: “Withdrawing the United States from International Organisations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Cont

Marking the 42nd Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)  under the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST) , Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh  announced a major policy reform  aimed at accelerating India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem. The government has removed the mandatory three-year existence condition  for deep-tech startups seeking recognition under DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion

With 152 Million Tonnes of Rice, 28% Global Share, 184 New Seed Varieties and Exports to 172 Countries, India Emerges as the World’s Largest Rice Producer in 2025 India has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing China to become the world’s largest rice producer . In 2025, India’s rice production crossed 150 million tonnes , placing the country at the number one global position for the first time . This achievement has been recognised internationally and is being seen as

FAA Bans US Flights Over Venezuelan Airspace as Maduro Orders Full Defence Mobilisation Caracas Explosions Trigger Nationwide Emergency Venezuela has declared a national state of emergency  following a series of explosions that rocked the capital city, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday, January 3. At least seven explosions  were reported around 2:00 a.m. local time , accompanied by low-flying aircraft  over multiple neighbourhoods. Residents rushed onto the streets afte

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa  has declared a 60-day state of emergency  across nine provinces and three municipalities , citing a sharp rise in criminal violence  and what the government has described as serious internal commotion . The emergency decree, signed by the President on Wednesday , came into force on Thursday , and is aimed at containing high-intensity violence , neutralising imminent security threats , and dismantling organised criminal structures  operating

India’s first high-speed bullet train is set to begin operations on August 15, 2027 , marking a historic leap in the country’s transportation infrastructure. The announcement was made by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw , who confirmed that the flagship Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR)  corridor is progressing steadily and will be commissioned in a phased manner . The ambitious project, currently under construction, is being executed by the National High-Speed Rail

Bulgaria has officially adopted the euro as its national currency , becoming the 21st member of the euro area  on January 1, 2026 , nearly two decades after joining the European Union in 2007 . The move marks a historic economic and political milestone for the Balkan nation and completes what leaders have described as the final stage of Bulgaria’s integration into the European project. To ensure a smooth transition, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the e

The second edition of the India–UAE Joint Military Exercise Desert Cyclone II  concluded on December 30, 2025 , at Al-Hamra Training City in Abu Dhabi , marking the successful culmination of nearly two weeks of intensive bilateral military training  between the Indian Army  and the UAE Land Forces . Conducted from December 18 to 30, 2025 , the exercise reaffirmed the deepening defence partnership  between India and the United Arab Emirates and underscored their shared commitm

Mali and Burkina Faso have announced reciprocal travel restrictions on United States citizens , responding directly to the expanded travel ban imposed by the Donald Trump administration  on nationals from 39 countries , the majority of them in Africa and the Middle East. The decision marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the United States and parts of West Africa, and reflects a broader geopolitical realignment underway in the Sahel region. Reciprocal

The Union Government has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of all oral formulations of Nimesulide exceeding 100 mg , citing potential risks to human health and the availability of safer alternatives. The decision comes into force with immediate effect , according to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare . Legal Basis and Regulatory Process The prohibition has been issued under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 ,

Half of all cars sold in South Africa in 2025 now have direct or indirect links to India, marking a major shift in the country’s automotive import landscape. South Africa’s automobile market is witnessing a significant transformation, with India emerging as the dominant source of vehicle imports. According to market intelligence firm Lightstone , nearly 50 per cent of all cars sold in South Africa in 2025  are either manufactured by Indian companies or contain components made