India, Gulf Cooperation Council launch FTA talks

IANS | February 24, 2026 7:51 PM

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) The negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) were formally launched here on Tuesday with the signing of a joint statement by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi.

Synergy of laws in focus at ECI, state poll commissioners’ round table

IANS | February 24, 2026 7:29 PM

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday chaired a National Round Table Conference of the ECI and State Election Commissioners (SECs) that resolved to synergise laws related to panchayats and civic polls with those for parliamentary and state Assembly elections.

Gujarat: Union Cabinet approves metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur (Lead) ​

IANS | February 24, 2026 6:45 PM

New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Feb 24 (IANS) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC)’s North-South Corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur in Ahmedabad, a move set to strengthen connectivity between the city and the state’s financial hub.​

Narmada to get two new bridges to improve connectivity for tribals

IANS | February 24, 2026 6:44 PM

Narmada/Gandhinagar, Feb 24 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday approved the construction of two new bridges in Narmada district, a move aimed at improving road connectivity for over 18,000 residents across 11 villages in the tribal region. The project has been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs 302.40 crore.

'Pakistan economy in dire straits'

IANS | February 24, 2026 6:41 PM

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Pakistan's economy is in dire straits as inequality and poverty are rising, while the Federal government is close to bankruptcy, according to an article in the Pakistani media.

‘Not dissent but planned sabotage’: Eminent citizens blast Youth Congress for protest at AI Summit (Ld)

IANS | February 24, 2026 6:34 PM

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) A group of eminent and noted citizens on Tuesday came down heavily on the recent shirtless protests at the AI Impact Summit by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers and also lambasted the Congress’ brand and style of politics, claiming that this amounted to putting the party’s own interests above the Republic’s image and prestige.

India’s electricity transition gains pace across states

IANS | February 24, 2026 5:42 PM

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) India’s electricity transition at the sub-national level is no longer marked by a few leading states, but rather wider, albeit uneven, progress across states, according to the findings of a new joint report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and independent think tank Ember.​