Chidambaram slams Budget 2026-27 as 'forgettable' , says youth joblessness stands at 15 per cent

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:20 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Pointing out that youth joblessness stands at 15 per cent in India, with less than 25 per cent of the workforce in regular employment, Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram launched a sharp attack on the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, describing it as cautious, parsimonious, forgettable, and already vanishing from public memory.

Pakistan's trade deficit soars by 44 per cent as exports plunge

IANS | February 9, 2026 2:58 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Pakistan's trade deficit with nine neighbouring countries widened sharply by 44.42 per cent to $7.683 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025-2026 (July-December), compared to $5.32 billion during the same period last year, according to the latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan.

Rahul Gandhi says LS Speaker 'committed' to allow him to speak, Rijiju hits back

IANS | February 9, 2026 2:33 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday claimed that Speaker Om Birla assured him that he would be allowed to speak before the Union Budget discussions in the house, triggering a rebuttal from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and subsequent pandemonium, which led to an adjournment for the day.

Stop misleading Assam: Congress attacks Himanta over Gogoi remarks

IANS | February 9, 2026 2:33 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) The Congress on Monday escalated its attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of making baseless allegations for political mileage and questioning the functioning of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Assam government.

‘It’s a proud moment’: BJP, JD(U) on Nitin Nabin's visit to Bihar

IANS | February 9, 2026 1:59 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) As BJP national president Nitin Nabin is on a visit to Bihar for the first time after assuming the party’s top post, leaders of the BJP and its JD(U) on Monday described the development as a 'proud moment' for the state and said preparations were underway in Patna to welcome him.