‘Why the drama?’ BJP leader questions Mamata Banerjee over SIR plea in SC

IANS | February 9, 2026 9:45 AM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Monday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her petition challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state, calling her move “dramatic” and alleging the state government’s actions were legally weak.

Pakistan PM's aide says 'innocent people' could be taken in custody in Balochistan crackdown

IANS | February 9, 2026 9:43 AM

Islamabad, Feb 9 (IANS) A discussion on the prevailing situation in Balochistan turned contentious after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah suggested that innocent civilians could end up being detained during security crackdowns following militant attacks, including those reported across the province on January 31, local media reported on Monday.

Halle Berry: I'm sad I won't be in Avengers: Doomsday

IANS | February 9, 2026 9:42 AM

Los Angeles, Feb 9 (IANS) Hollywood star Halle Berry, who played the weather-controlling superhero Storm from 2000 to 2014 in X-Men movies, is upset that she will not join a string of names from the X-Men universe in Marvel’s upcoming sci-fi-action movie Avengers: Doomsday.

Affordable 5G smartphone shipments surge over 1,900 pc in India in 2025

IANS | February 9, 2026 9:33 AM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) The affordable 5G smartphone shipments surged over 1,900 per cent in India in 2025 (year-on-year), steered by aggressive pricing, enhanced availability of entry-level 5G chipsets and expanding nationwide 5G network coverage, a report showed on Monday.