Skill development programme in Mumbai's Kandivali trains traditional cobblers for higher incomes

IANS | February 24, 2026 8:23 PM

Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) A special skill development training programme for the leather workers’ community was organised at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill Development Centre in Mumbai's Kandivali (East) on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, aiming to make traditional workers self-reliant through modern technical skills and to boost employment.

PM Modi to visit Israel on Feb 25-26 as 1st round of FTA talks begins

IANS | February 24, 2026 7:59 PM

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) The first round of negotiations for the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) began in New Delhi and will continue until February 26, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday.

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.

'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.