THE HEADLINES
- Government launches counter terrorism policy ‘Prahaar’, aiming to criminalize all terrorist activities and deny access to funds.
- Election Commission to hold National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- Air ambulance enroute to Delhi from Ranchi crashed in Chatra district of Jharkhand; All seven persons on board killed.
- India’s ambassador to Israel J P Singh says, New Delhi and Israel on the same page against terrorism; Terms Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel as historic.
- At least 25 members of Mexican National Guard troops killed in retaliatory violence after killing of drug lord.
- In ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, West Indies defeat Zimbabwe by 107 runs in Super 8 Group clash in Mumbai.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs has unveiled the country’s new national counter-terrorism policy and strategy titled PRAHAAR. The strategy outlines the comprehensive framework to address evolving terror threats using a proactive approach to prevent and counter terrorist threats. PRAHAAR stands for Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests, Responses, which are swift and proportionate to the threat posed, Aggregating internal capacities for achieving synergy in a whole-of-government approach, Human rights and ‘Rule of Law’ based processes for mitigation of threats, Attenuating the conditions enabling terrorism, including radicalization, Aligning and shaping the international efforts to counter terrorism and Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.
“To build consensus on the understanding of terrorism and the rights of victims of terrorism, India will continue to work for a comprehensive framework on international terrorism. It will pursue its counter-terrorism policy and strategy ‘Prahaar’, which aims to criminalize all terrorist acts and deny access to funds, weapons and safe havens to the terrorists, their financiers and supporters. India will continue its efforts together with the international community, to counter the global challenge of misuse of Information and Communications Technology for terrorist purposes. Besides, investment in technology and partnerships with private enterprise have been included to mitigate futuristic terror threats. With Anand Kumar, Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be embarking on a two day state visit to Israel from tomorrow. The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold wide ranging talks with his Israeli counterpart Mr Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. Later a series of programs will be held in Jerusalem. Ambassador of India to Israel J P Singh has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel as historic. Talking to Akashvani News in Jerusalem, Mr Singh said, India and Israel are on the same page on the issue of terrorism.
Mr Singh said when Prime Minister Modi visited Israel in 2017, both the leaders had laid the foundation for the strengthening of bilateral tiles. He further added that time has come to build on that strategic partnership and taking it to a new phase.
Giving information of PM Modi’s visit, He said, several agreements will be signed after the talks between both Prime Ministers.
We have more details from our correspondent Dheeraj Kakadia in Jerusalem.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Tel Aviv, capital city of Israel on a two day state visit tomorrow, that is from 25 February 2026. Immediately after landing in Tel Aviv, the Prime Minister will hold a private meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu. The rest of all the programmes of the Prime Minister are organised in Jerusalem only. On day one the main programme is to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset. Narendra Modi will be the first Indian leader to address the Israeli Parliament. He will also be participating in a community event, where he is likely to interact with the Indian origin settled in Israel. The Prime Minister is scheduled to take part in a tech. exhibition. The day two will begin with the Prime Minister’s visit to Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial, more than six million Jews were killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust episode, list of more than five million Jews those who were killed in which 1.5 million children were also there. There list is made in the form of a book where, Prime Minister will be watching this book. Thereafter, he will depart for a meeting with the President of Israel, Mr Isaac Herzog. After bilateral talks with the President, the Prime Minister will be having an extended meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders will be finalising documents of agreement, and an exchange of agreement in the presence of both leaders. After this Prime Minister is scheduled to depart for Tel Aviv and there from India.”
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The Election Commission will today organise the National Round Table Conference of ECI and State Election Commissioners at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Round Table Conference is being held after a gap of 27 years. The last such Conference was held in the year 1999. The Round Table Conference will be chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi. State Election Commissioners of all States and Union Territories will participate along with their legal and technical experts. Besides, Chief Electoral Officers of all the States and Union Territories will also attend the Conference.
“The primary objective of the Round Table Conference is to foster synergies in the functioning of Election Commission and State Election Commissionsers with respect to electoral processes and logistics within their legal frameworks. The deliberations are expected to provide a platform for constructive exchange of ideas and reinforce the spirit of cooperative federalism in electoral management. During the day-long conference, discussions will focus around sharing of technology, EVMs and Electoral Rolls, besides strengthening of electoral processes. Senior officials of the Commission will make presentations on key technological and operational initiatives including the recently launched ECINET digital platform and its transformative potential in streamlining electoral services. Presentations will also highlight robustness, transparency and safeguards of the Electronic Voting Machines. Anand Kumar for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
Artificial Intelligence is steadily evolving into a foundational pillar of rural transformation in India, not merely as a technological intervention but as an integrated public infrastructure aligned with inclusive development goals. Through a combination of strategic vision, governance safeguards, digital public infrastructure, multilingual platforms, and sectoral integration across agriculture, healthcare, education, skilling, and local governance, AI is being institutionalized to augment human capacity rather than replace it.
“By strengthening service delivery, supporting data-driven governance, and integrating marginalised communities into formal systems, Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a foundational driver of inclusive rural development in the country. Integration of AI within Panchayati Raj Institutions, Digital Public Infrastructure, and welfare systems is enhancing transparency, efficiency, planning, and grassroots participation. With platforms like SabhaSaar, eGramSwaraj, Gram Manchitra, AIKosh, AI is strengthening last-mile service delivery, reducing structural inequalities. Artificial Intelligence is also playing a central role in expanding language access and inclusion especially in rural, remote, and tribal India. Multilingual and voice-enabled platforms such as BHASHINI, BharatGen, and Adi Vaani are reducing linguistic and literacy barriers, expanding access to services and governance. National missions, sectoral initiatives, state-led innovations, and initiatives like the India-AI Impact Summit reflect a coordinated shift toward scalable, people-centric AI, aligned with the vision of a developed India. Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi. “
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In Jharkhand, all seven persons on board an air ambulance were killed after the aircraft crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district last evening, while en route to Delhi from Ranchi. The crash took place shortly after the aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd took off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 pm. According to top official, all seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi and the bodies of all the seven persons on board have been retrieved.
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President Droupadi Murmu will be on a four day visit to Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Rajasthan from today. The President will inaugurate the nationwide campaign ‘Saving Lives and Building a Healthier Bharat’, being organised by PD Hinduja Hospital at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai today.
Tomorrow. the President will grace the ‘National Arogya Fair 2026’, being organised by the Union Ministry of AYUSH at Shegaon, Buldhana. She will also grace the state-level launch of ‘Golden Era of Maharashtra through Unity and Trust’, organised by Brahma Kumaris in Nagpur on Wednesday.
The President will participate in the Bhoomi pujan ceremony of Sri Jagannath Temple, Jamshedpur on Thursday which is being organised by Shri Jaganaath Spiritual and Cultural Charitable Centre Trust, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. She will also visit the Manipal TATA Medical College, Jamshedpur and interact with the students. On Friday, the President will witness Ex Vayushakti at Pokharan in Rajasthan.
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In Mexico, at least 25 members of the National Guard military police were killed in retaliatory violence in the state of Jalisco after the killing of a drug lord. Unrest has erupted in at least 20 states since Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes – better known as “El Mencho” – died in custody yesterday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces. The U.S. had offered a 15 million dollar reward for information leading to his arrest.
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Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has ordered a fresh review of all cases filed after 5 August 2024 following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, saying the move aims to protect innocent citizens from harassment. Speaking to reporters after a three-hour meeting with heads of departments and law enforcement agencies at the secretariat on Monday, the minister said police had been instructed to re-examine the lawsuits and submit a report to the government.
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In the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 107 runs in their Super 8 Group 1 clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last-night. Against a target of 255 runs set by West Indies, Zimbabwe scored only 147 runs in 17.4 overs. Put into bat first, West Indies scored 254 runs for loss of 6 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl. Shimron Hetmyer was declared player of the Match. Today, England to take on Pakistan in a Super 8 Group 2 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This 45th match of the tournament is scheduled to take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, starting at 7:00 pm local time.
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In a landmark moment for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K’s cricket team is set to face formidable opponents Karnataka in their first-ever final of the prestigious Ranji Trophy today. The final will be played at KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground, Hubli in Karnataka at 9.30 am. Karnataka will be aiming to secure an eighth title, while Jammu and Kashmir is chasing its maiden crown.
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NEWSPAPERS,
- The release of the country’s first-ever anti-terror policy is noticed by most of the dialies. “Centre unveils seven-pronged counter terror policy Prahaar” reports Hindustan Times.
- “Modi’s visit to Israel will help deepen partnership” leads The Statesman, about Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel later this week.
- “PM writes to West Bengal, says change is inevitable” states The Pioneer. The Hindu quotes the Prime Minister as saying “Waiting for opportunity to serve people of Bengal.”
- “Kim Jong Un re-elected ruling party chief at rare North Korea Congress” says The Economic Times.
- The Times of India quoting the Allahabad high court says “UP conversion law doesn’t bar interfaith union.”
- The Statesman in its editorial piece “Voter Roll Trust” writes that “In many democracies the most fragile infrastructure is not a bridge or a power line, but the voter roll. It is the ledger that decides who exists politically and who does not. When that ledger becomes contested, the dispute is never merely administrative; it becomes a test of trust between institutions that are supposed to check and balance one another. West Bengal is now living through such a test.”
- “Delhi plans ‘ebike Didi’ scheme to offer safe rides to women tourists” reports Hindustan Times.
- “Passengers welcome IRCTC’s e-Pantry meal booking service” states The Pioneer.
- And finally, “Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut Manipuri film Boong wins BAFTA for best children’s and family film” reports The Indian Express. The paper writes that “Bringing Manipur to world stage: ‘Rooted in a place which is very troubled, ignored’.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Government launches counter terrorism policy ‘Prahaar’, aiming to criminalize all terrorist activities and deny access to funds.
- Election Commission to hold National Round Table Conference with State Election Commissioners at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- Air ambulance enroute to Delhi from Ranchi crashed in Chatra district of Jharkhand; All seven persons on board killed.
- India’s ambassador to Israel J P Singh says, New Delhi and Israel on the same page against terrorism; Terms Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel as historic.
- At least 25 members of Mexican National Guard troops killed in retaliatory violence after killing of drug lord.
- In ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, West Indies defeat Zimbabwe by 107 runs inSuper 8 Group clash in Mumbai.