NEW DELHI: (Feb 9) Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal on Monday said the Centre will consider a suggestion to set up an inquiry for non-allotment of around 48,000 flats constructed in the national capital for the poor under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Replying to a supplementary during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said flats in Delhi were constructed in 2012 under the JNNURM scheme, with the support of both the central and state government.
Lal said he was “astonished” that these homes were not allotted to the poor by the then Delhi government under Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
y Eve Bohnett, University of Florida
TALAHASSE: (Feb 9) In late 2025, Interpol coordinated a global operation across 134 nations, seizing roughly 30,000 live animals, confiscating illegal plant and timber products, and identifying about 1,100 suspected wildlife traffickers for national police to investigate.
Wildlife trafficking is one of the most lucrative illicit industries worldwide. It nets between US$7 billion and $23 billion per year, according to the Global Environment Facility, a group of nearly 200 nations as well as businesses and nonprofits that funds environmental improvement and protection projects.
People buy and sell a wide range of items, including live animals, plant powders and oils, ivory carvings and musical instruments.
ISLAMABAD: (Feb 8) Pakistan has been invited to attend the inaugural summit of the Board of Peace for Gaza and the country is expected to attend the meeting to be held in the US on February 19, media reports said Sunday.
US President Donald Trump unveiled the board in January as part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is being projected by Washington as a new international body to usher in peace and stability in Gaza and beyond.
Pakistan Foreign Office on January 21 said it has accepted President Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace for Gaza and that he had invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to become part of the body.
DHAKA: (Feb 8) Bangladesh’s interim government of Muhammad Yunus has sought the cooperation of the UN human rights office for a fair and transparent investigation into the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a media report said on Sunday.
Hadi, 32, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, who rose to national prominence during the July-August 2024 mass protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime, was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign in Dhaka.
The interim government has sought the cooperation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to ensure a proper investigation over Hadi’s killing, state-run BSS reported.
COLOMBO: (Feb 8) Kamindu Mendis’ scintillating 19-ball 44 and Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten half-century lifted Sri Lanka to 163 for six after a slow start in their T20 World Cup match against Ireland here on Sunday.
Wicketkeeper Kusal made 56 off 43 balls with the help of five boundaries and added 67 runs for the fifth wicket with Kamindu, who smashed four fours and two sixes, to lift Sri Lanka after they were struggling at 86 for four in the 14th over.
Sri Lanka were also helped by a few dropped catches by the Irish fielders in the floodlit R Premadasa Stadium.
Mumbai, February 7, 2026:
India and the United States have taken a major step forward in strengthening their strategic and economic partnership with the signing of an Interim Trade Pact, setting the stage for an ambitious $500 billion bilateral trade target in the coming years.
The agreement, signed within days of its announcement, underscores the seriousness both nations attach to expanding trade ties. The interim pact significantly reduces import duties from as high as 50% to zero on several key Indian export sectors, including gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, smartphones, and auto components.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai and President of the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), described the deal as a “transformational moment” for India’s global trade positioning.
“With today’s joint statement, it is amply clear that this trade deal will support India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat, strengthening our role in international trade while cementing our geopolitical and geoeconomic partnership with the United States,” Dr. Kalantri said.
The broader contours of the agreement were outlined in a joint statement by both countries, followed by a press conference addressed by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who indicated that the final Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is expected to be completed by March 2026.
According to trade experts, the immediate reduction in tariffs gives Indian exporters a significant competitive advantage over other global players, particularly benefiting MSMEs, job creation, and export-led growth.
Dr. Kalantri further highlighted that unlike several other trade agreements signed with regions such as the EU, UK, and New Zealand—whose benefits will materialize gradually—the India–US interim pact delivers immediate economic impact.
“The provisions on technology transfer and investment cooperation will boost India’s startup ecosystem, innovation capacity, and access to critical ICT products. This will not only accelerate economic growth but also strengthen national security,” he added.
Importantly, the pact reassures domestic stakeholders that India has not compromised on sensitive and strategic sectors, addressing political and economic concerns while ensuring broad acceptability of the agreement.
Trade analysts view the interim pact as a strong foundation for a comprehensive long-term trade framework, positioning India and the US as key economic partners in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Kalyan (Maharashtra) —
In a major action against illegal immigration and organized crime, Kalyan East police have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly living in India using fake documents and changed identities. The accused were staying near Ganpati Mandir at Balaji Apartment, Kalyan East.
According to police sources, the arrested individuals have been identified as Roopali and Yaseen, both Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly living under Hindu names to conceal their real identity.
The action was carried out on 17 January 2026 after API Sandeep Bhalerao of Kolsewadi Police Station received specific information regarding their presence.
Fake Identity and Illegal Stay
Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused were residing in India using forged documents. Police have registered the case under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act, and document verification is currently underway.
Allegations of Prostitution Racket
Police sources further revealed that the Bangladeshi woman arrested in this case was allegedly found involved in prostitution activities at the location from where she was detained.
Investigators suspect the existence of a larger organized prostitution and human trafficking network operating across Maharashtra and Gujarat.
It is alleged that Bangladeshi women were illegally brought into India, their identity and religion were changed, and they were later forced into prostitution at different locations. Authorities are verifying these claims as part of an ongoing investigation.
Gujarat-Based Agents Under Scanner
During the investigation, the names of two alleged Gujarat-based agents have surfaced:
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Sunil Kumar Ratnaji Parmar
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Jashpal Laxmanbhai Daiya
Police sources claim that these agents were allegedly involved in:
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Bringing Bangladeshi nationals illegally into India
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Arranging fake documents and identity changes
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Organizing marriages and accommodation
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Pushing women into prostitution for financial gain
According to available information, Sunil Kumar Parmar is reportedly a resident of
84, Ambalivas, Deodar, Banaskantha, Gujarat.
It is also alleged that Sunil Parmar married one of the arrested Bangladeshi women in Gujarat about a month ago. These claims are currently under investigation.
Deportation Process Initiated
In the latest development, police confirmed that the Bangladeshi woman arrested in the case is being deported back to Bangladesh after completion of legal formalities.
Officials stated that deportation is being carried out strictly as per law under the Foreigners Act and immigration rules.
Investigation Continues
Police officials have clarified that the investigation is still in progress. The role of agents, financial transactions, additional illegal immigrants, and possible links to other locations are being examined.
Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against all those involved if the allegations are proven, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.
Real News of India
Reporter: S. M. Fanus
By Wellett Potter, University of New England
LONDON: (Feb 4) Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.
Deathbots are usually created by the bereaved, often as part of the grieving process. But there are also services that allow you to create a digital twin of yourself while you’re still alive. So why not create one for when you’re gone?
NAGPUR: (Feb 4) The Yavatmal district of eastern Maharashtra recorded 21 farmer suicides in January, an activist said on Wednesday, accusing the government of failing to deal with the agrarian crisis.
Kishore Tiwari, former chairman of the state government’s Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavlamban Mission (VNSSM), shared an official list of the farmers who allegedly died by suicide in the district last month.
PESHAWAR: (Feb 4) Armed militants abducted a police constable from his residence and later shot him dead in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, police said.
The attackers raided the house of Constable Dastgir in the Nasar Khel area on the outskirts of Sarai Naurang tehsil in Bannu district, officials said.
The assailants subjected women, children and elderly family members to violence, set the house on fire and held the family hostage before forcibly taking the constable away.
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