Breaking News LIVE: Bharat Bandh on Feb 12; Home Ministry’s Vande Mataram protocol; SC on missing children; bomb scare in Chandigarh, Mohali and more

Raghav Chadha raises airline accountability issue in Parliament

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha criticised airline companies for what he called unfair practices towards passengers. He expressed concern about airlines charging high fees for extra baggage while failing to provide compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Chadha recently posted a clip of his Parliament speech on social media, bringing attention to the issue. Read the full story here.

Music producer Rao Inderjeet Singh offers Rs 1.11 crore support to Rajpal Yadav

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav recently surrendered and was sent to Tihar Jail in connection with a Rs 9 crore debt and cheque bounce case. Before surrendering, the actor shared an emotional statement, saying he was going through severe financial difficulties and had no one to confide in during the crisis. On Tuesday, Rao Inderjeet shared a video on Instagram expressing concern over Rajpal Yadav’s situation. He said he had spoken to the actor’s younger brother and requested people to contribute whatever they could to support the family.

In the video, he also shared Rajpal Yadav’s personal bank account details. He assured that if the required amount is not raised by February 14, he will personally deposit the remaining sum in court, hoping to secure the actor’s release by Maha Shivratri. Read the full story here.

'Bengal's spine was not ever surrendered by.....', Abhishek Banerjee shares glimpses of his Lok Sabha speech

While speaking during the discussion on Union Budget in the Parliament on February 10, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha leader and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee attacked the BJP for denying its due and harassing Bengali-speaking migrants. "If the government wants to punish Bengal, we won't bow. If they want to freeze our funds, we will persist. The Prime Minister talked about 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. We showed him what a 'Swanirbhar' Bengal looks like," Banerjee said. Read the full story here.

Delhi Police sends notice to Penguin over former Army Chief Naravane’s memoir

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has issued a notice to publishing house Penguin over the autobiography of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, as the controversy surrounding the book intensifies. The notice has reportedly been sent following allegations that parts of the memoir were leaked even before its official release.

India sticks to e-cigarette ban

India has decided to keep its ban on e-cigarettes. However, this decision has come as a setback for Philip Morris International (PMI), which has been trying hard to bring heat-not-burn tobacco products like IQOS into the Indian market. Even though India is the world's seventh-largest cigarette market, it is sticking to its tobacco control measures. The country claims these measures are based on evidence and rejects the tobacco company's attempts to link IQOS with lower health risks compared to regular smoking. India banned e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products, in 2019. With over 100 billion cigarettes sold each year, it is the seventh-largest cigarette market by volume, according to Reuters. Tobacco use leads to more than...Click here to read the full story

Bomb threat calls trigger panic in Chandigarh, Mohali schools

At least ten schools across Chandigarh and neighbouring Mohali received bomb threat calls on Tuesday, prompting immediate security measures. Classes for the day were suspended immediately. Reportedly, the school management immediately notified the police once the calls were made. On the other hand, the students were sent home as a precautionary measure. In one of the schools, parents were informed through an urgent message that classes were being suspended due to...Click here to read the full story

‘I won't sing until they're safe': Jasmine Sandlas halts Delhi concert to protect women from harassment

Singer Jasmine Sandlas, known for her Bollywood hits like 'Taras', 'Yaar Na Miley', 'Illegal Weapon 2.0' and her recent track 'Shararat' from the ovie Dhurandhar, paused her concert in Delhi to call out a group of men who were bothering women in the audience. In a video that has been circulating on social media, Jasmine can be heard saying she would not continue performing until the men harassing the women were removed. She said, "Security, can you please remove these two guys? They are troubling the girls. I won't sing until the girls feel safe. I'll stand here until the problem is solved, okay?"

Telangana municipal elections today: Voting from 7 am to 5 pm; counting on February 13

Over 52 lakh voters will determine the fate of around 13,000 candidates in the elections for 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations in Telangana on Wednesday. This election is viewed as a test of support for the ruling Congress, as well as the opposition BJP and BRS. Polling will take place from 7 am to 5 pm. The Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) has made detailed arrangements for the process. The counting of votes will occur on February 13.

'Is there a pattern?': Supreme Court questions Centre on missing children cases

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked for a deeper investigation into the statistics of missing children. It directed the Centre to determine if these incidents are concentrated in any specific region, state, or throughout the country. This will help with better coordination for their recovery and addressing the organised gangs involved in these crimes. "Is there a pattern emerging from the data received so far?" inquired a bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, according to a report by Hindustan Times. This bench had previously instructed the Centre in December 2025 to collect data on missing children from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2025, along with updates on the status of prosecutions in these cases as of now.

Home Ministry issues new protocol: 'Vande Mataram' before national anthem, standing compulsory

'Vande Mataram,' the national song, must be played before the national anthem, 'Jana, Gana, Mana,' at all government events and in all schools, according to new rules from the Union Home Ministry issued Wednesday morning. The rules also require everyone to stand when 'Vande Mataram' is played. The national song must now be played at civilian award ceremonies, such as the Padma awards, and at all events attended by the President, during their arrival and departure. It will also be played in public spaces, such as cinema halls, but standing is not required in this case. All six stanzas will be played, including the four removed by the Congress in 1937.

'Bharat bandh' on February 12: Will schools, banks and markets remain closed tomorrow?

India may experience significant disruption on February 12 as central trade unions and farmers' organisations have planned a nationwide strike, known as 'Bharat Bandh'. Public sector banks, government offices, transportation services and markets in various states will likely be impacted. Some schools and colleges may also close in areas affected by protests, depending on local conditions. The strike is organised by a joint platform of central trade unions, supported by farmer groups protesting against the new labour codes and the proposed India-US trade deal. Read the full story here.